BHARP to Present Workforce and Staffing Report at Next RCPA SUD Committee Meeting
Jason Snyder
Discussion of Lawsuit Against PA Drug Treatment Courts to Highlight Next Criminal Justice Committee Meeting
ASAM Minimum Rates Increase Effective Jan. 1, 2024
DDAP Releases Compulsive and Problem Gambling Annual Report for 2023
The Pennsylvania Compulsive and Problem Gambling Annual Report for 2022/23 outlines the impact of programs funded by the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund. According to the report, around $8.3 million was transferred to support crisis counseling, awareness programs, and treatment services. The funds were distributed among Single County Authorities to conduct needs assessments and prevention programs. Additionally, the gambling treatment providers received direct support from the funds. Outpatient treatment providers spent $469,145 in 2022/23, focusing on monitoring demographics such as age, race, ethnicity, income, and preferred gambling methods. The Pennsylvania Gambling Helpline received 2,834 calls, indicating an increase from the previous year, with financial hardship being a common issue.
For a comprehensive overview, including detailed statistics on treatment admissions, demographics, and gambling methods, refer to the full report.
SUD Treatment Staffing Flexibilities Signed Into Law; DDAP to Provide Guidance
Harm Reduction Therapeutics Begins Providing Over-The-Counter Naloxone
Harm Reduction Therapeutics (HRT), a non-profit pharmaceutical company, has shipped the first order of RiVive, an over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray to prevent opioid overdose deaths. The FDA-approved nasal spray provides a single 3 mg administration for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose without a prescription. RiVive will be distributed to community harm reduction groups that are working to combat opioid overdoses, and HRT is committed to its non-profit model and aims to make RiVive available across the United States free of charge or at a low cost.
HRT emphasizes that no entity or individual, including its unpaid volunteer board of directors and staff, will profit from RiVive sales. The product will be available at cost or less, with a selling price of $36 per twin pack, covering production, packaging, testing, and transportation costs. Additionally, HRT actively seeks additional funding partners to support operations, reduce selling prices, and increase the availability of free-of-charge doses, highlighting the importance of charitable contributions in saving lives amid the opioid crisis.
Governor’s BH Council Members Announced, First Meeting Held
Pennsylvania’s Behavioral Health Council, created through executive order in October, held its first meeting yesterday.
The council intends to develop and recommend to the governor a statewide action plan to address any gaps in access, affordability, or delivery of services, with the goal of removing silos across state agencies, healthcare providers, payers, state and local government sectors, as well as decreasing the wait time for services for Pennsylvanians in need.
Read the full press release and list of Behavioral Health Council members.
Bill Enabling SUD Staffing Flexibilities Passes House and Senate, Awaits Governor’s Signature
Feedback Sought on PA Behavioral Health Council Initiatives
Established by Executive Order 2023-20, the Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Council plans to address mental health and substance use challenges statewide. The Administration and Council are currently seeking stakeholder input through a survey, which is open until December 14, 2023. Please complete the survey, and feel free to share the link.
RCPA Opposes SB 962: Involuntary Commitment to Treatment for Overdose Survivors
Earlier this week, RCPA submitted its position on SB 962 to the Pennsylvania Senate Health and Human Services Committee. SB 962 would force overdose survivors into treatment for substance use disorder.
RCPA opposes SB 962 because of:
- The enormous burden placed on providers to manage an unfunded and complex involuntary treatment process;
- The perpetuation of stigma towards the disease of addiction by introducing the complexity and trauma of the judicial system to the treatment of a disease – not the commission of a crime; and
- Scant evidence that this approach reduces overdoses and death.
Read RCPA’s full position paper on SB 962. You can also view the memo announcing SB 962 as well as the language of the bill.
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