HARRISBURG, PA — To better serve the needs of Pennsylvanians battling addiction, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has embarked on a statewide stakeholder engagement tour. Through in-depth discussions and roundtable meetings with people directly impacted by the opioid crisis, the DDAP seeks to improve substance use disorder (SUD) services across the state.
Dr. Latika Davis-Jones, Secretary of the DDAP, has spearheaded the initiative, engaging with local leaders, service providers, and members of the recovery community across 13 counties. The wide-reaching tour, which included stops in cities as diverse as Erie, Pittsburgh, and State College, has offered DDAP a unique opportunity to gain feedback from those on the frontlines of the opioid crisis.
The focus of these meetings has been broad, addressing everything from data management and health equity, to treatment slot management and departmental communications. This initiative has been met with enthusiasm with Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Drug and Alcohol Administrator Linda Moore-Singleton lauding it as a “positive and collaborative” effort.
However, one challenge that has emerged repeatedly during these discussions is the frustration within the behavioral health workforce with existing administrative burdens. Excessive paperwork, reporting requirements, and compliance issues were voiced as factors that exacerbate workload struggles and can limit access to needed services.
In response to these concerns, the DDAP has promised action, pledging to implement changes by the first quarter of 2024. These promised actions include an $18 million SUD student loan repayment program aimed at easing the burden on practitioners working in the treatment and recovery support services workforce, a clarifying resource on compliance with treatment assessment regulations, and an initiative to provide diversity, equity and inclusion training to equity coalition members.
The feedback gathered through the stakeholder engagement tour is expected to underpin DDAP’s future policies and approaches towards tackling the opioid crisis. In addition to the initiatives mentioned, DDAP will also be expanding its Life Unites Us anti-stigma campaign, providing guidelines on how to request additional funds for SUD services, and instituting monthly updates on licensed providers.
Appreciation for this community-driven approach was voiced by Senator Michele Brooks, who stressed that the removal of barriers to treatment was crucial to battling addiction. She extended her commendation to Secretary Davis-Jones for her commitment to receiving input from all corners of the state.
The engagement tour aligns with Governor Josh Shapiro’s Executive Order to establish the Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Council, a body that aims to improve the delivery of mental health and SUD services across the state.
As Pennsylvanians grapple with the enormous challenges presented by the opioid crisis, community and stakeholder engagement remains a crucial step toward developing effective solutions. This tour symbolizes a profound commitment by the DDAP to listen to those directly affected by the crisis and use that knowledge to enhance the delivery of much-needed services to our residents in their time of need.
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