For the sixth time, Gov. Tom Wolf has renewed his 90-day opioid disaster declaration in Pennsylvania.
The renewal will allow for the sixteen-agency Opioid Operational Command Center to continue operating. It will continue to open up access to additional treatment options, waive birth certificate fees for those seeking treatment, allow or expanded naloxone programs, and continue the opioid help hotline.
Wolf, a Democrat, noted in a statement that preliminary data indicates there was a decease in the number of overdose deaths in parts of the state from 2017 to 2018.
“Even with an anticipated drop in overdose deaths in some parts of the state, it is essential to continue this disaster declaration while we still have thousands of Pennsylvanians suffering from the disease of opioid-use disorder,” Wolf said in a statment. “We have made great progress in reducing the number of opioids prescribed, increasing the number of people who are eligible for treatment and saving lives with the use of naloxone. But we cannot stop until we end this epidemic.”
A study late last year showed that Pennsylvania’s was making progress battling the addiction epidemic.
“This crisis has built over decades, and while it will take time to end this epidemic, there is hope. Pennsylvanians should continue to have hope for our families, for our communities and for patients who need treatment for the disease of addiction,” Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said.
