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Act 59 of 2017 gave the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) the power and duty to license drug and alcohol recovery houses that receive referrals from state agencies or state-funded facilities or federal or state funding and to impose fines on unlicensed recovery houses that receive funds from federal, state, or county agencies. On December 11, 2021, DDAP published recovery house licensure regulations in 28 Pa. Code Ch. 717. The regulations took effect immediately upon publication, except for 28 Pa. Code § 717.14, regarding fines for unlicensed recovery houses, which took effect on June 9, 2022. On June 9, DDAP gave notice that, effective July 1, 2022, to minimize disruption to residents during the application and licensure process, single county authorities (SCAs) could continue to act on existing contracts with recovery houses that were making timely and good faith efforts to obtain licensure. DDAP also expressed its position that it would not penalize recovery houses while they were actively working through the licensure process.

Beginning January 1, 2023, SCAs may only fund recovery houses that have obtained licenses from DDAP. SCAs should plan to transition individuals who remain in unlicensed recovery houses to another licensed recovery home or arrange for other suitable housing as of January 1, 2023.

The SCAs are subject to the provisions of all requirements as outlined in the 2020–2025 Grant Agreement. Any state or federal funding used to make payments to unlicensed recovery homes is a violation of Act 59 of 2017 and the terms outlined in Appendix D Program Specific Provisions, Paragraph VI Compliance/Termination/Reduction of the 2020–2025 Grant Agreement.

In addition, as of January 1, 2023, DDAP will exercise its enforcement authority to impose fines of up to $1,000 per day on persons who have not obtained licenses but who operate recovery houses that receive funds from a federal, state, or county agency, in accordance with the requirements of Act 59 of 2017 and 28 Pa. Code § 717.14. Recovery house operators who have started but not completed the licensure process must either obtain their license or stop accepting federal, state, and county funds by January 1, 2023 in order to avoid this fine.

Act 59 of 2017, 71 P.S. § 613.16(a), relating to Violations, provides:

(a) Penalties — A person operating a drug and alcohol recovery house that is funded, in whole or in part, by the department or a Federal, other State, or county agency, that has failed to attain or maintain licensure or certification of a drug and alcohol recovery house and has not been licensed or certified by the department, shall pay a fine of up to $1,000 for each violation.

28 Pa. Code § 717.14(b), relating to Fines, provides, “Each day of operating a drug and alcohol recovery house that requires a license without a current license shall constitute a separate violation.”

Please submit all questions regarding this communication to the Bureau of Program Licensure.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) today issued Licensing Alert 02-22, which details the process for establishing mobile narcotic treatment programs (NTPs). In 2021, the Drug Enforcement Agency issued a final rule authorizing NTPs to add mobile components for dispensing controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment without obtaining a separate registration.

Read the full DDAP Licensing Alert.

Today, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) joined the Pennsylvania Association of County Drug and Alcohol Administrators, members of Pennsylvania’s recovery community, state lawmakers, and advocates for a rally to spread a message of hope that people can and do recover from the disease of addiction.

This Eighth Annual Recovery Advocacy Day aims to raise awareness of substance use disorders, celebrate individuals in recovery, and acknowledge the work of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services in honor of National Recovery Month.

“People can and do recover from the disease of addiction. September is a time to celebrate the gift of recovery and to remind people in recovery, and those who support them, that no one is alone in their journey,” said DDAP Secretary Jen Smith. “The Wolf Administration’s efforts go far beyond this month, as we work each and every day to promote recovery and to help all Pennsylvanians live happy, healthy lives. At the crux of our efforts is eliminating stigma and clearing a path for someone to take that first step on their road to recovery.”

View a full calendar of National Recovery Month events.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is accepting public comment on the Pennsylvania Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) application submission. This submission will occur in three parts: The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Assessment and Plan, or Mini-Application, which is currently available in draft and available for review; the SAPT Report, which will be posted in November; and the Annual Synar Report, which will be made available in December.

These documents can be accessed here utilizing “citizenpa” as your login and “citizen” as your password.

To review the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Plan Mini-Application:

  1. From the “Welcome to WebBGAS” page, click on “View an Existing Application.”
  2. On the next page, select “2023 SABG Only Application/Behavioral Health Assessment and Plan.” (The status of this application is shown as “In Progress.”)
  3. On the next page, click “View Application.”
  4. All of the links on the following page — “Pennsylvania – FY 2022-2023 SABG Only Application/Behavioral Health Assessment and Plan Submitted” — comprise the Mini-Application now open to public comment. Some components may read as “In progress” at this point, because they are still incomplete or may not be completed if they are not required.

Please submit all comments electronically by Friday, September 30.

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Overdose is the leading cause of death for people ages 18 to 45 in America. Today, August 31, 2022, is International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). It is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose. The day honors those who have died from an overdose and offers an opportunity to reflect on the grief of those left behind while bringing attention to issues surrounding substance use disorders (SUDs) and overdose deaths. IOAD allows people to grieve as they choose without fear of stigmatization.

Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Secretary Jennifer Smith offered a video message, including resources to help those with an SUD. Those resources include:

General Resources:

IOAD Resources:

Equity-Related Resources:

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The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) today released Information Bulletin 02-22: Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Records.

Act 33 of 2022 took effect immediately when Gov. Wolf signed it on July 7, 2022. Act 33 makes significant changes to the confidentiality provisions for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment records under Pennsylvania law and DDAP’s enforcement of those provisions. Act 33 amends the definitions, 71 P.S. § 1690.102, and the confidentiality provisions, 71 P.S. § 1690.108, of Act 63 of 1972, the Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act.

Read the Information Bulletin.

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Organizations wanting to include their recovery month events on the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ National Recovery Month web page should email the DDAP Press Office.

September is National Recovery Month, which celebrates the gains made by those in recovery from substance use and mental health. Recovery Month works to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible.