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Gov. Wolf announces disaster declaration for the heroin and opioid epidemic

Jan 12, 2018 • by Council on Chemical Abuse

On January 10, 2018, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced a Statewide Disaster Declaration for the heroin and opioid epidemic. “This is huge,” said Stanley Papademetriou, Executive Director of the Council on Chemical Abuse. “The governor is using his authority to declare the opioid crisis a statewide disaster emergency, something that is usually only announced for severe weather or other natural disasters. This declaration affirms how rampant and widespread the opioid problem in our state and community has become.”

“We applaud the governor for taking this bold step to address this deadly epidemic,” said Papademetriou.

Here are two takeaways from the Governor’s announcement:

Emergency Medical Services are now enabled to leave behind Naloxone, for those individuals who may not agree to be transported to an emergency roomThe Face-to-face Physician requirement for admission to Medication-Assisted Treatment will be waived, allowing individuals to access treatment quicker

Other key initiatives that will now be available through this declaration is outline HERE

Other related links:

NEWS: Governor Wolf Declares Heroin and Opioid Epidemic a Statewide Disaster Emergency (pa.gov)

NEWS: Pa. opioid ‘disaster emergency’ plans to help Berks facility (WFMZ)

DOWNLOAD: Governor Wolf’s Disaster Declaration Fact Sheet

REQUEST a FREE Naloxone Kit from the Council on Chemical Abuse

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