jennifer-smith

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 […]

COMMENTARY

Pa. residents recovering from substance use disorder deserve safe, supportive housing | Opinion

BY: - May 25, 2022

Everyone’s recovery journey is different; but for many, one of the critical stops following treatment is moving into a recovery house.

State, local officials highlight addiction prevention efforts across Pa.

BY: - May 9, 2022

One of those leaders is Kristen Varner, administrator of Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services. Varner said that her own success in long-term recovery from substance use disorder is largely due to “protective factors,” such as a continuous support from a “loving environment.”

Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs Secretary Jen Smith

Wolf admin directs federal grant dollars to services for pregnant Pennsylvanians with addiction

BY: - February 23, 2022

The funding is part of $55M in federal money awarded to Pennsylvania, according to DDAP.

$15M in grant funds headed to substance use disorder treatment providers for pandemic response

BY: - February 18, 2022

The grant funding, which amounts to more than $15 million, can be used to “minimize the spread of COVID-19," officials said Friday.

‘No one is immune’: DDAP encourages Pa. workers, health care workers, to invest five minutes to better understand addiction

BY: - February 15, 2022

The online learning platform, known as Just Five, launched in May 2021 as a way to improve Pennsylvanians' understanding of addiction and substance use disorder, reduce the stigma surrounding the disease, and provide individuals with helpful resources. 

States ‘are our eyes and ears,’ top lawmaker says as Pa. asks Congress for help in opioid crisis

BY: - January 14, 2020

States have been trying to respond to a growing problem of addiction and overdose to opioids and other drugs. Overdose deaths have dropped in Pennsylvania.