(The Center Square) – More of the state’s sizable Opioid Trust has made its way to programs that will support rural Pennsylvanians in the struggle against its substance use epidemic.
Schuylkill County’s Drug and Alcohol Program celebrated the opening of its newly renovated Recovery Center in Pottsville, which will provide peer-driven services to those combating substance use disorder.
“Without strong prevention, rural youth are particularly vulnerable due to peer influence, lack of alternative activities and often generational substance use patterns,” said Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-Frackville.
The center will function alongside Pottsville’s Center for Community Resources, which provides 24/7 walk-in services for those experiencing acute mental and behavioral health crises free of charge. The walk-in center, which partners with local police and hospitals to provide services, has been operating since 2023 and has served over 350 people.
Joining Wardzik and other leaders, Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, or DDAP, Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones visited the center while promoting the Shapiro administration’s commitment to seeing through the gains his office made while pursuing opioid settlements during his time as attorney general.
“I commend the boots-on-the-ground teams in Schuylkill County for really being deliberate in where they are physically providing recovery services. Co-locating a crisis walk-in and recovery center sends a strong signal to the community that a wide array of SUD services is both available and accessible,” said Davis-Jones.
Peer-led services like the ones being offered at the Recovery Center have long been a popular model for addiction treatment. It assists those in recovery not only by offering fellowship with others who have been where they are but also by fulfilling the twelfth step in the Alcoholics Anonymous model, which asks individuals to give back to the community.
In addition to peer support, the center will offer practical assistance with issues like finding and securing employment and other necessities. Despite the pervasive nature of the epidemic across the state, those seeking recovery still struggle with stereotypes and misunderstanding about the disease which create obstacles for them.
“Schuylkill County continues to be challenged by eliminating SUD stigma and building recovery support for our communities,” said Pearl Robertson, Administrator of the Schuylkill County Drug & Alcohol Program. “We will continue to work with all of our partners, particularly DDAP at the state level, to educate individuals and families about SUD and overcome systemic barriers.”
The National Institute on Drug Abuse points to criminalization as one factor that contributes to the stigmatization that can hold back people in recovery. Schuylkill is one of the counties which participates in the state’s Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative which is intended to divert those with low-level drug offenses into treatment programs in lieu of prosecution.
“Breaking the disease of addiction helps to stop workforce decline, family disruption and strain on law enforcement,” said Twardzik.
Twardzik was joined by his colleague Rep. Jamie Barton, R-Tamaqua, who serves parts of both Schuylkill and Berks counties.
“The opioid epidemic continues to devastate families in our communities and our Commonwealth,” said Barton. “However, help is out there for folks fighting the disease of addiction.”
