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Authors Posts by Jason Snyder

Jason Snyder

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Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Medetomidine is a veterinary sedative, similar to xylazine, that was first found in Philadelphia’s drug supply in May 2024. Since then, it has spread across Pennsylvania. Medetomidine is 100-200 times more potent than xylazine and can cause longer-lasting sedation, low heart rates, and more severe withdrawal symptoms. It is not an opioid but is found in the illicit drug supply.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is seeking information about complications associated with medetomidine in the drug supply. DOH is particularly interested in SUD treatment providers’ responses to the following.

  • Are you seeing an influx in clients presenting with worsening withdrawal symptoms (e.g., racing heart, severe nausea, high blood pressure, tremors, confusion)?
  • Are you seeing an increase in clients leaving against medical advice?
  • Have you had to send clients to the hospital because their symptoms required a higher level of care?
  • Are there any other changes you are noticing in your community that you think DOH should know about?

You can email your responses to DOH Senior Harm Reduction Technical Advisor Roseanne Scotti or RCPA SUD Treatment Policy Director Jason Snyder.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is offering a new virtual format for the clinical supervision training.

This instructor-led virtual training builds on foundational coursework and gives participants the opportunity to practice clinical supervision skills, along with tools to support assessment and effective work with supervisees.

The next session will be held daily at 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday, January 26, through Friday, January 30.

Log into DDAP’s Training Management System (TMS) to request a virtual seat and review registration and payment instructions for the $300 training. Payment must be submitted by check or money order, as detailed in TMS. Space is limited, and registrations are processed in the order received.

Completion of the Clinical Supervision Training Foundations course, available on demand through TMS, is required before enrolling.

Clinical supervisors and lead counselors with less than two years of supervisory experience are required to complete the core curriculum offering in TMS or a DDAP-approved core curriculum in clinical supervision.

Please send any questions electronically.

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Act 66 of 2023 requires the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to annually report to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and House Human Services Committee, among other information, barriers to entry into the SUD workforce. To help fulfill that requirement, DDAP is surveying providers to get their input on this topic.

In addition to this reporting requirement, Act 66 of 2023 also put in place several regulatory flexibilities about which providers are also being asked through this survey, though DDAP is not legislatively mandated to report on the use of these flexibilities.

The deadline to submit the survey is 5:00 pm Sunday, December 21, 2025.

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RCPA has formalized its opposition to SB 716 in a brief position paper. Senator Laughlin’s SB 716 would amend Pennsylvania’s Mental Health Procedures Act (MHPA) by defining substance use disorder (SUD) as a mental illness, thereby subjecting those with an SUD to the same procedures outlined in MHPA, including an involuntary commitment to a 120-hour hold in a psychiatric hospital, which is commonly referred to as a 302 (Section 302 of MHPA).

RCPA determined its position after months of discussion and analysis, including:

  • Written input from the entire RCPA SUD treatment provider membership;
  • Extensive conversations and meetings with RCPA members, including SUD and mental health treatment providers, the SUD Steering Committee, and governmental entities;
  • Multiple meetings with staff from key legislators’ offices, including Sen. Laughlin;
  • Multiple meetings with the Shapiro administration; and
  • A review of published research detailing experiences other states have had with involuntary commitment for SUD.

RCPA has offered to work with the legislature and Sen. Laughlin to implement alternative strategies that are proven effective in reducing overdoses and connecting those with SUD to treatment.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) will host its Annual Women and Children’s Meeting from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on Wednesday, December 10. The virtual meeting provides an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share updates on programs and initiatives that support women and children across the Commonwealth. Participants will hear from county administrators and receive statewide updates highlighting innovative efforts and best practices related to supports and services for women and children in Pennsylvania.

Use the information below to join the meeting or add the meeting to your calendar.

Join the meeting
Meeting ID: 251 287 171 369 74
Passcode: RJ2pc2fR

Dial in by phone
+1 267-332-8737,,471562118# (United States, Philadelphia)
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 471 562 118#

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Harrisburg, USA - May 24, 2017: Pennsylvania capitol interior dome colorful ceiling in city with American Flags

The planned protest of the state budget impasse for Tuesday, November 18, on the Capitol steps has been cancelled, as Governor Josh Shapiro and members of the General Assembly have agreed to a $50.1 billion budget for the 2025/26 Fiscal Year. This is $2.3 billion more than last year’s budget but less than the Governor’s $51.5 billion proposed budget.

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A large stakeholder advocacy group is planning to protest the state budget impasse at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, November 18, on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg. Although the group was originally convened to focus on behavioral health, they are encouraging all groups impacted by the impasse to join, as it continues to affect people, programs, and organizations far beyond behavioral health.

As someone with a vested interest in passing the budget, you are encouraged to attend the protest, share this invitation widely, and rally your networks and anyone affected by this issue.

Contact Kathy Quick, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers Association, for more information. If the budget passes before November 18, the event will be canceled.

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Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

Drexel University’s Division of Behavioral Healthcare Education has announced its 33rd Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference to held virtually on Wednesday and Thursday, December 10–11, 2025. The conference theme is “Contemporary Issues Impacting Forensic Services.” The conference will feature live and pre-recorded presentations addressing a wide variety of forensic topics pertinent to behavioral health. The virtual format allows participants to earn additional continuing education credits by accessing session recordings after the conference. More information is available online or by downloading the conference flyer.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) Emerging Drug Trends Symposium, originally scheduled for Tuesday, November 18, has been postponed. The event will now take place on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

All individuals who previously registered have been automatically re-enrolled for the new date. Those unable to attend on the new date are asked to cancel their registration in DDAP’s Training Management System to allow others to register.

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