Crime & Safety
Woman Seeking Medical Help at Westfield Hospital Busted for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
While seeking medical attention at Westfield Hospital, a woman's purse fell to the floor and exposed drug paraphernalia for crack and herion, police say.
EDITORS NOTE: This story has been corrected to reflect the fact that Westfield Hospital followed established protocols and notified a safety officer who then notified police after drug paraphernalia spilled from the patient's purse while she was being treated.
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On Dec. 11 at 5:18 p.m. Kimberly Anne Kopchak, 45, of 342 Cleveland St., Freemansburg, sought medical attention at Westfield Hospital. During the course of treatment, police report that Kopchak's purse fell on the floor and three syringes were exposed.
The person treating Kopchak notified the hospital's safety officer who in turn notified police. Police report that Kopchak told the Westfield staff she uses them for heroin.
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Upon police arrival, Kopchak gave consent for police to search her purse, which revealed a crack pipe (one clear tub with Brillo pads and drug residue), small empty packages used for heroin, three syringes and a pill bottle filled with various pills.
She also consented to police searching her car, where they found small empty packages used for heroin, and she had a small empty package in her left front pocket. She admitted to using heroin for her back pain.
She was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and will appear before Magisterial District Judge Jacob Hammond.
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