Tuesday, the Cambria County Drug Coalition announced the new “Hearts against Heroin” Campaign.

“Hearts against Heroin shows number one, that we care. It’s not turning our back on those people suffering from addiction. It’s showing a way that we can help,” said Terry Deitz, Market Manager of Forever Media in Johnstown.

The coalition teamed up with Forever Media radio stations to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic in the county and how to fight it. The radio campaign will feature educational messages and interviews with people involved in the fight against addiction and drug abuse. Seven local radio stations will air the messages 12 times a day.

Cambria County Drug Coalition leaders said collaboration between community members, businesses, healthcare workers and law enforcement is the best way to help people struggling with addiction.

“This is a “we” matter. That we need everybody playing their part in the war against drugs,” said Ronna Yablonski, the Executive Director for the Cambria County Drug Coalition. “Maybe it’s healthcare, maybe it’s treatment. maybe it’s prevention or education. So it’s all encompassing approach with information from all different avenues will be reaching people from all walks and ages.”

Starting Monday, March 6th, campaign organizers will sell stickers for a dollar each. They hope to raise $10,000 for the campaign. All the money raised will go towards education efforts run by the drug coalition.

“The idea is: everyone that sees these stickers, it’s going to strike a cord with them. It’s going to say, I support all the efforts to drive this horrible epidemic into the ground,” said Deitz.

The coalition was formed in September of 2016. Members said they have four goals for the next year: decrease the supply of opioids, help people struggling with addiction, increase drug prevention efforts and find sustainable funding to combat the opioid epidemic.