Recognizing and honoring Denise Nakano, Anchor at NBC 10 in Philadelphia for her professional excellence and achievement in reporting a two-part investigative news series, "Heroin Epidemic," which was awarded the 2015 Emmy Award presented by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in the Crime News - Single Story or Series Category.

WHEREAS, On April 8, 2014, Denise Nakano reported a two-part investigative news series entitled, “Heroin Epidemic”, to expose the heroin drug addition as a growing public health crisis in the United States and its devastating impact on local communities in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The reporting gave a voice to the users struggling with the addiction to raise a public awareness about the dangers associated with heroin drug use;

WHEREAS, The 2015 Emmy Award presented by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the news series, “Heroine Epidemic,” was awarded to: Denise Nakano, Reporter; Michael Hurst, Editor; and Manual Noguera, Photojournalist.

WHEREAS, Heroin users in the United States nearly doubled from 373,000 users in 2007 to 669,000 users in 2012 and the death rate from heroin overdoses has nearly tripled from 2010 to 2013.

According to the City’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, almost 35% of the people who died from drugs in Philadelphia had heroin in their system; and

WHEREAS, Council adopted the City Council Resolution No. 150716 on September 17, 2015, which declares 2016 as the

“Year to Combat The Heroin Abuse Epidemic” in Philadelphia to acknowledge the serious effects heroin abuse is having in our communities and recognize the epidemic as an urgent local health priority; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council hereby recognizes and congratulates

Denise Nakano, Anchor at WCAU NBC 10 in Philadelphia for her professional excellence and achievement in reporting a two-part investigative news series, “Heroin Epidemic,” which was awarded the 2015 Emmy Award presented by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in the Crime News - Single Story or Series Category.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of the resolution be presented to Denise Nakano, further evidencing the sincere support and admiration of this legislative body.

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