Possible addiction recovery services grant available in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Takes Action to Support Recovery Services
Pennsylvania’s state government has made significant strides in recent years to address the opioid crisis. They have legalized fentanyl test strips and expanded medication for opioid use disorder in county jails and state prisons. Now, there is a push to provide additional funding for recovery services to help individuals stay sober and find a supportive community.
Proposed Legislation for Lifetime Recovery from Substance Abuse Grant Program
A new proposed legislation, House Bill 1650, aims to establish the Lifetime Recovery from Substance Abuse Grant Program. This program seeks to enhance the support system in the state for those in recovery from substance use. It would encompass various forms of support, including peer support, mentoring services, housing and job assistance, and more.
Representative Jim Gregory, R-Hollidaysburg, who introduced the legislation alongside Representative Joe Hohenstein, D-Philadelphia, emphasized the need to ensure a return on the investment made in saving lives. The bill would allocate funding to nonprofits, healthcare providers, municipalities, single county authorities, and licensed recovery houses to provide these vital support services.
The range of services offered would include peer support networks, family and community support, crisis intervention referrals, mentoring services, and assistance in finding stable housing and employment. Funding for these recovery services would come from appropriations by the General Assembly or from opioid settlement funds allocated to the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
Representative Gregory highlighted the importance of providing the necessary resources and training to meet the demand for long-term recovery support. He refrained from specifying a specific funding amount, emphasizing that the number would naturally align with the demonstrated need and results.
Breaking Down Stigma and Building Community
Representative Gregory, who has openly shared his own struggles with addiction, aims to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction. He believes that by making help readily available, individuals will be more inclined to seek it. By encouraging those in long-term recovery to share their stories, the walls of stigma can be dismantled.
The magnitude of the problem is evident, with over 5,100 Pennsylvanians losing their lives to overdose in 2021 alone. William Stauffer, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Recovery Organization Alliance, emphasized the importance of fostering a sense of community and instilling hope in individuals battling addiction. He stressed that clinical treatment alone is not sufficient; it must be complemented by connections to recovery communities and the development of life skills and coping mechanisms.
While efforts such as fentanyl testing, medication for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, and improved access to addiction treatment centers have gained attention, the focus on long-term recovery has been lacking. Stauffer believes that comprehensive support services are essential for sustained recovery.
Encouragingly, momentum is building in the recovery support arena. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently established an Office of Recovery to expand peer support services nationwide. Stauffer sees this as a positive step towards recognizing the value of recovery.
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