Students and alumni react to Bill Clinton's address at Pitt-Johnstown

JOHNSTOWN -- Cheers, chants and a full house greeted former President Bill Clinton as he took the stage at Pitt-Johnstown on behalf of his wife former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is campaigning to run as the Democratic candidate for president.

With the Pennsylvania primary election just days away, Clinton addressed issues that hit home for Johnstown including the heroin epidemic across the region.

Clinton mentioned one solution Hillary Clinton pushes for is more treatment facilities in our area.

"It's a problem that won't be solved with more bars or more jail cells," said Clinton supporter and UPJ alumnus, Todd Holsopple. "It's going to be solved with more doctors, more mental health professionals, more treatment facilities and taking away the stigma of addiction."

Clinton said a priority for both him and Mrs. Clinton is to fix the drug problem in the country. He said the drug epidemic has impacted them personally, with friends whose children have overdosed on drugs.

The former president was also connecting with students and alumni during his address on a big burden many of them will face or already face: college debt and tuition.

"It's a weight that everyone who's graduated carries on their back," said Holsopple.

Clinton mentioned in his address that one of the best ways to let everyone afford college is to let every student renew their debt and consolidate it.

Clinton said Hillary Clinton wants to build the economy from the bottom-up by giving young people better opportunities.

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