Opioid disaster declaration is working
Pennsylvania has received national attention for the progress made to combat the epidemic.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 5,377 fatal overdoses in Pennsylvania at the height of the opioid overdose crisis in 2017. Those Pennsylvanians represent our loved ones and neighbors — people who battled substance use disorder predominantly cast in the shadows due to stigma and lack of resources to live a full, healthy life in recovery.
That is why on Jan. 10, 2018, Gov. Tom Wolf issued a first-of-its-kind disaster declaration proclaiming heroin and opioid addiction a public health emergency and directing executive actions to combat the crisis. Since then, the declaration has been renewed 13 times in a continued effort to curb the opioid overdose epidemic.
This disaster emergency declaration has proved to be an important tool in the commonwealth’s quick response in adapting to developing needs, increasing access to treatment, and saving lives. By focusing on strategic, coordinated efforts, we have ensured all Pennsylvanians have access to the lifesaving drug Naloxone through a standing order from the secretary of health and various methods to reach the general public and high-risk communities.
We have expanded access to medication assisted treatment, or MAT. The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program has virtually eliminated doctor shopping. Such efforts led to an 18% reduction in the rate of fatal overdoses from 2017 to 2018, 4% from 2018 to 2019, followed by a 1% decrease in 2019.
Pennsylvania has received national attention for the progress made to combat the epidemic and ultimately save lives. Because of the disaster emergency declaration, we were able to successfully coordinate and collaborate within the Wolf administration, and with federal and local government entities and community partners.
At the center of the collaboration is the Opioid Command Center created by the disaster emergency declaration. The command center broke down decade-long silos within state government, leveraging the diverse strengths and skill sets of 18 state agencies to collaborate effectively to save lives.
Now, as we see another increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critically important for Pennsylvanians to remain focused on the overdose epidemic. All Pennsylvanians have experienced feelings of isolation and loneliness throughout the nation’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts. For individuals with substance use disorder those feelings paired with job loss, food insecurity, homelessness and other economic insecurities have created the perfect storm for overdoses.
Together, the opioid disaster declaration and COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration have allowed the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to quickly adopt federal policies during the pandemic, like the expansion of telehealth and increased eligibility for MAT take-home dosages. These policies have allowed individuals to continue substance use disorder treatment with little to no disruption and proved to be very beneficial for provider and patient safety during mitigation efforts.
Supporting individuals’ behavioral health will play a significant role in keeping Pennsylvanians healthy after the pandemic. The administration must continue existing efforts and make further expansions to support those with substance use disorder, especially in high-risk populations.
The governor’s opioid disaster emergency declaration humanized the disease of addiction. It solidified the importance of the work within the drug and alcohol community by encouraging large scale collaborations. It has brought to light the fact that substance use disorder affects every Pennsylvanian regardless of race or socio-economic status.
Most importantly, it has shown that to save lives we must cut through the bureaucracy and respond nimbly with impactful, strategic policy across all of state government. Only then, with the necessary supports and services, will individuals with substance use disorder feel empowered to step out of the shadows of addiction and seek the help they deserve. If you or a loved one is battling substance use disorder, help is available. The PA Get Help Now Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is available 24/7, staffed by trained professionals who can provide a direct connection to local treatment or services.