State, county officials mark opening of substance use recovery center in Pottsville
PHOTO COURTESY / PA DDAP
POTTSVILLE – State officials were on hand Wednesday as a new substance use recovery center opened to serve Schuylkill County.
Leaders from the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) joined the Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol Program at the new center in Pottsville.
“Local communities are on the front lines of Pennsylvania’s opioid crisis—spearheading prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services,” DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones said. “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.”
The center was renovated using funds from opioid settlements distributed to the county.
The Recovery Center will be peer-driven, meaning those who are living in SUD recovery will be providing many of the services. The center will offer community-based self-help programs, socialization programs, employment assistance with resumes and job searches, and referral services.
The center will be in addition to the existing Crisis Walk-in Center site, which has been providing mental health and drug and alcohol services for county residents, including DDAP-funded individuals, since 2023.
“The opioid epidemic continues to devastate families in our communities and our Commonwealth,” Representative Jamie Barton said. “However, help is out there for folks fighting the disease of addiction. I’m thankful DDAP officials are taking the time to stop in Schuylkill County to hear how we can better address this ongoing crisis.”
“Without strong prevention, rural youth are particularly vulnerable due to peer influence, lack of alternative activities and often generational substance use patterns,” said Representative Tim Twardzik. “Breaking the disease of addiction helps to stop workforce decline, family disruption and strain on law enforcement, and I appreciate the opportunity to address those issues with our state and local partners today.”
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