PA First Lady Frances Wolf Visits Delco Opioid Treatment Center

Pennsylvania First Lady Frances Wolf journeyed to Delaware County Wednesday to discuss the opioid epidemic in the county.

Wolf was joined by Department of Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas and Jason Snyder, special assistant on Centers of Excellence, on a tour of Community Hospital in Chester, according to the governor's office.

“People from every community in Pennsylvania are suffering from the effects of the opioid epidemic,” Wolf said. “It is absolutely critical that we continue to battle the stigma surrounding substance use disorder and encourage anyone suffering from this disease to seek help. I am thrilled at the work of Community Hospital and all of the centers of excellence are doing to curb this public health crisis.”

Gov. Wolf earlier this year addressed the state's General Assembly to outline a set of shared, specific legislative goals that would help tackle the opioid and heroin crisis, according to his office. Together with Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate, Gov. Wolf made a commitment to prioritize helping the victims of substance use disorder and the communities that have been devastated by drug addiction.

The state's 2016-2017 budget included $20.4 million for Centers of Excellence, which serve as central, efficient hubs for drug addiction and abuse treatment. These centers will have navigators to assist people with opioid-related substance use disorders through the medical system, and ensure they receive behavioral and physical health care, as well as any evidence-based medication-assisted treatment needed, the governor's office said.

“As we know, the opioid epidemic does not discriminate and affects every Pennsylvanian in some way,” Dallas said. “We are excited to have Community Hospital as a location for the COE program, providing quality services to individuals in need.”

The governor and legislators made significant achievements toward fighting this epidemic this fall legislative session by passing five major bills that will strengthen the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, restrict the number of pills that can be prescribed to minors or in emergency rooms, establish education curriculum on safe prescribing, and create more locations for the drop-off of drugs among other important initiatives.

If you or someone you know is suffering from substance use disorder, visit the state's opioid epidemic website or call 1-800-662-HELP.

Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website to learn more about Centers of Excellence and see the map below to find a Center of Excellence nearest to you:

Image via Governor Tom Wolf's Office