DDAP

Pa. Senate confirms Shapiro admin nominees to lead Labor & Industry, DDAP

BY: - June 21, 2023

The Senate voted to confirm the nominations of Nancy Walker as Secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry in a 49-1 vote, and Dr. Latika Davis-Jones as Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs in a unanimous vote. 

Shapiro admin temporarily lists  Xylazine as a controlled substance | Five for the Weekend

BY: - June 3, 2023

In 2017, xylazine contributed to 90 overdose deaths, but in 2021, it contributed to 575 overdose deaths across 30 counties – an increase of over 600% in just 5 years, according to the department.

Report: Rural areas have less access to substance use treatment resources

BY: - May 19, 2023

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed allocating more than $48 million to the department’s efforts in his 2023-24 fiscal year budget. 

More than 1M doses of Naloxone distributed through state program | Five for the Weekend

BY: - April 29, 2023

Since 2017, 656,568 kits (1,313,136 doses) of Narcan, a naloxone nasal spray, have been purchased and distributed statewide.

COMMENTARY
Red wine pouring from a decanter to a wine glass.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month: What to know, where to get help if you need it | Opinion

BY: - April 16, 2023

If you or someone you love is struggling, please remember that you are not alone.

Shapiro admin releases naloxone distribution stats | Five for the Weekend

BY: - March 11, 2023

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), which distributes free naloxone to organizations and individuals through its Naloxone for First Responders Program (NFRP), has distributed 214,514 kits or 429,028 doses of the overdose reversal medicine since 2017.

Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

With fentanyl test strips decriminalized, Pa. officials work to gauge demand

BY: and - February 8, 2023

Four Pennsylvania departments are working to make fentanyl test strips available at no cost across the state.

Nearly $19M in student loan repayment awarded to Pa. substance use treatment, case management professionals

BY: - December 5, 2022

To be eligible for the grant, candidates who were selected were required to demonstrate a minimum of two prior years of experience in the SUD field as well as agree to a service commitment of two additional years.

Grant program to utilize $9M from opioid settlement for crisis services | Five for the Weekend

BY: - December 3, 2022

State officials said the goal of the grant program is to "provide an additional mechanism for counties to invest in infrastructure, staffing, programming, and other necessary components to establish or expand crisis stabilization services."

Wolf admin recognizes family caregiver month | Five for the Weekend

BY: - November 19, 2022

Happy weekend, all.  State officials gathered at the Capitol this week to recognize November as National Family Caregiver Month. The month, Wolf administration officials said, “offers an opportunity to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities, and increase support for” family caregivers. Pennsylvania Department of Drugs and Alcohol Secretary Jennifer Smith recognized the effect the […]

State officials gather in Harrisburg to kickoff National Recovery Month | Five for the Weekend

BY: - September 3, 2022

“People can and do recover from the disease of addiction. September is a time to celebrate the gift of recovery and to remind people in recovery, and those who support them, that no one is alone in their journey,” Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Jen Smith said.

Wolf admin. adds intramuscular injection to expanded naloxone order

BY: - July 27, 2022

DDAP reports that between November 2017 and March 31, 2022, there have been 22,085 overdose reversals using state-purchased Narcan.