Cheer On Feb. 10, the state House passed a bill that would increase penalties for acts of violence against health care professionals while they’re treating patients.House Bill 1219 would raise the penalty for assaulting a doctor or other health care professional from a second degree misdemeanor to a felony.This might sound like overkill or unnecessary to some, but the fact is that Pennsylvania’s health care and social assistant workers face violence in their workplaces every single day.In 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that health care workers, including registered nurses in hospitals, were at more than three times the risk of the average American when it comes to their chances of being assaulted while on the job. HB 1219’s sponsor, state Rep. Judy Blair, R-Blair, says nearly 60 percent of all the state’s nonfatal assaults and violent acts — from hair pulling to firing a gun — occur in health care settings.It’s true that these individuals work in a high-stress environment, often with people who are facing terrible, untenable events and decisions. But that doesn’t mean they should have to check their personal safety at the door.The General Assembly needs to protect the people working every day to keep Pennsylvanians healthy.

Jeer As if we needed more evidence of the overdose epidemic gripping our state and county, Thursday came with more dire news on drug-related deaths. Namely that they’re still spiking in Butler County — up 42 percent from 2014 to 2015, according to the county coroner’s office.Of the 47 drug-related deaths cataloged, the overwhelming majority, 30, came as the result of heroin overdoses, the office said. The drug, which is often laced with the powerful painkiller fentanyl was also responsible for a tidal wave of about 30 nonfatal overdoses this past week in Cambria and Washington counties.State and county officials are correct to ramp up training on how to recognize an overdose and use naloxone, a life-saving anti-overdose drug. It should be noted that without naloxone the death toll would have been even higher.But frankly, those are reactive strategies not destined to change the trajectory of this crisis. They are necessary, but they are not the answer.Pennsylvania’s treatment and support systems for addiction have been unmasked by this scourge as sorely underprepared and ineffective. How many deaths will it take before we begin to blunt this assault on our communities?

Cheer Butler City police provided truly life-saving service on Monday when they rescued a Standard Avenue toddler from the roof of a second story porch he had managed to crawl onto.According to court documents, an uncle who was supposed to be watching the child was high on marijuana and asleep when the boy managed to crawl out of a bathroom window and make his way onto a roof about 20 feet above the pavement.Public focus in such incidents often falls on the negligent party, but let’s also note here the heroic actions of the police involved; “Serve and Protect” indeed. Well done and thank you, officers.