As More Pennsylvanians Die of Drug Overdoses, Lawmakers Call for Review of Treatment Centers, Fines [Subscription]
Jason Snyder
Fundamental Flaws: Addiction Treatment Providers in Pa. Face Little State Scrutiny Despite Harm to Clients — Spotlight PA
DDAP Issues Clarifications on Pennsylvania-Specific Mandates of ASAM Transition
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) has issued clarifications on mandates it has created as part of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) transition. Most notably, the requirement that two, two-hour group sessions be provided daily at Levels 3.5 and 3.7 has been removed, though providers still must provide at least six hours of therapy daily. Although clarifications have been provided for the credentialing mandate, no changes have been made. The Intensive Outpatient Level ratio remains at this time at 1:15.
All of the clarifications can be reviewed here.
Wolf Administration Outlines COVID’s Impact on Overdose Deaths
Wolf Administration officials today outlined the impacts of COVID-19 on people living with substance use disorders (SUD) and highlighted projects and collaborations made possible through the opioid disaster declaration’s creation of the Opioid Command Center.
“As we continue to evaluate 2020 overdose trends, we are seeing a significant uptick in fatal overdoses,” Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said. “We know that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the challenges for people with the disease of addiction. Because of the disaster declaration in place, the entire Opioid Command Center, including the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, is able to offer a variety of support to people in need.”
While the 2020 counts are expected to increase further since finalized death records for overdose deaths are often delayed into the following year, there have been 4,880 drug overdose deaths reported thus far. This preliminary data, as of March 2021, indicates there were at least 422 more deaths in 2020 than in 2019. Since the overdose epidemic began, the most overdose deaths in Pennsylvania during a single year was 5,396 in 2017. Panelists will discuss the history, modalities, policies, and implementation of syringe services programs in communities. Read the full press release here.
Moderated Panel Discussion to Examine Syringe Services Programs
As part of the “Promoting Community Mobilization for Harm Reduction” webinar series, Vital Strategies and University of Pittsburgh’s Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU) will present a facilitated panel discussion called “Syringe Services Programs — Reducing Harm and Building Public Health Equity” on Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 1:30 pm–3:00 pm.
Panelists will discuss the history, modalities, policies, and implementation of syringe services programs in communities. Panelists include:
- Roseanne Scotti, JD: Senior Technical Advisor, Syringe Access Services, Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Melinda Zipp: Director, Lancaster Harm Reduction Project
- Aaron Arnolds, MPH: Executive Director, Prevention Point Pittsburgh
- Brooke M. Feldman, MSW: President, Sparking Solutions LLC
- James B. Struzzi II: Legislator, Pennsylvania House of Representatives — 62nd District
Register for the webinar here.
HHS Removes Training Requirement for Obtaining Waiver to Prescribe Buprenorphine
In an effort to get evidenced-based treatment to more Americans with opioid use disorder, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is releasing new buprenorphine practice guidelines that, amongst other things, remove a longtime requirement tied to training, which some practitioners have cited as a barrier to treating more people. Please visit here to read the entire press release.
DDAP to Present on ATLAS: Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform
The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) will present on ATLAS, an Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform. Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization, developed ATLAS to help individuals navigate the drug and alcohol treatment landscape to find high-quality care for themselves or their loved ones.
ATLAS is a first-of-its-kind resource to provide transparent and reliable information when used by:
- the public in selecting drug and alcohol treatment services;
- providers to benchmark and improve quality; and
- state authorities to better inform technical assistance and the allocation of critical substance use treatment resources.
This is a free and confidential tool that currently is available in Delaware, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and West Virginia with plans to expand nationally. Plans to expand ATLAS in Pennsylvania have begun with rollout of this tool to key stakeholders. Anyone interested may participate in either of two demonstration meetings, listed below.
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 (10:00 am–12:00 pm):
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 267-332-8737,,296038654# United States, Philadelphia
Phone Conference ID: 296 038 654#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Learn More | Meeting options
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm):
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only)
+1 267-332-8737,,237639147# United States, Philadelphia
Phone Conference ID: 237 639 147#
Find a local number | Reset PIN
Learn More | Meeting options
DDAP Programs and Gaudenzia Discuss Importance of Vaccines for Individuals with Substance Use Disorder
DDAP Announces Grant Initiative Funding Opportunity
The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announces a new grant initiative funding opportunity. DDAP is accepting applications from entities with the capacity to deliver employment support services to individuals in recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) seeking to enter the workforce. Employment support services under this project include but are not limited to: vocational assessments, resume writing, interviewing skills, job placement, and transportation assistance related to employment. Applicants shall identify at least one employer partner that is committed to providing employment opportunities to individuals in recovery from SUD.
Applications are due by Monday, May 17, 2021 at 12:00pm. More information is available on DDAP’s website.
RCPA Establishes D&A Medication Subcommittee
RCPA’s Drug & Alcohol Division has established a Medication Subcommittee. As medication becomes more integral to the addiction treatment system, RCPA members have an opportunity to influence medication-related policy through their experience and expertise. Consider:
- Access to and integration of medications to treat addiction at all levels of care has become a priority in Pennsylvania.
- Acceptance of medication as an integral part of treatment continues to grow, especially in areas historically reluctant to embrace it, including criminal justice.
- The COVID pandemic has changed the treatment landscape, ushering in telehealth and the promise of broader access to care, including medication.
In considering access and integration challenges, regulations, reimbursement, best practice, research, and provider experience, this subcommittee will set an agenda and work with RCPA leadership, other RCPA members, state regulators, payers, legislators, and other key stakeholders to advance that agenda.
Your expertise is invaluable in helping the treatment provider community set this agenda and achieve its goals. If you are interested in participating in the Medication Subcommittee, please email Jason Snyder, Director, RCPA Drug & Alcohol Division.
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