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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday issued the first-ever public health disaster declaration that he said will enhance the state response to the opioid epidemic.</p><p>Wolf&#8217;s declaration is designed to increase access to treatment and save lives. </p><p>The declaration is the first-of-its-kind for a public health emergency in Pennsylvania and will utilize a command center at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to track progress and enhance coordination.</p><p>&#8220;While we have made progress in combating the heroin and opioid abuse crisis and drastically expanded Pennsylvania&#8217;s response, we are still losing far too many Pennsylvanians,&#8221; Wolf said in a news release. &#8220;I am taking this step to protect Pennsylvanians from this looming public health crisis, and I am using every tool at my disposal to get those suffering from substance use disorders into treatment, save more lives, and improve response coordination.&#8221;</p><p>Among the declaration&#8217;s specifics are 13 key initiatives that are the culmination of a collaboration between state agencies.</p><p>They include:</p><p>&#8226; Establishing an Opioid Command Center at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, which will house the Unified Opioid Coordination Group that will meet weekly to monitor implementation and progress of the initiatives in the declaration.</p><p>&#8226; Expanding access to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to other state entities for clinical decision-making purposes to improve treatment outcomes and better monitor compliance among prescribers. Since 2016, 90,000 physicians have conducted more than 1 million searches on the PDMP.</p><p>&#8226; Adding overdoses and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) as reportable conditions to the Department of Health to increase data collection and improve outcomes in both areas.</p><p>&#8226; Authorizing an emergency purchase to allow the state to enter into a contract with the current drug and alcohol hotline vendor to ensure uninterrupted services. To date, the 24/7 helpline &#8212; 1-800-662-HELP &#8212; has received more than 18,000 calls to connect those suffering with substance abuse with treatment.</p><p>&#8226; Enabling emergency medical providers to leave behind naloxone by amending the current standing order to include dispensing by first responders, including EMTs.</p><p>&#8203;The existing naloxone standing order and funding for naloxone to first responders has allowed for more than 5,000 lives to be saved, the release says.</p><p>&#8226; Allowing pharmacists to partner with other organizations to increase access to naloxone by waiving regulations.</p><p>&#8226; Waiving the face-to-face physician requirement for Narcotic Treatment Program admissions to allow initial intake review by a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) or Physician Assistant (PA) to expedite initial intakes and streamline coordination of care when an individual is most in need of immediate attention. </p><p>&#8226; Expanding access to medication-assisted treatment by waiving regulatory provisions.	This will allow more people to receive necessary treatments at the same location, increasing their access to care and chances for recovery.</p><p>&#8226; Waiving annual licensing requirements for high-performing drug and alcohol treatment facilities to allow for a licensure process every two years.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Gov. Tom Wolf </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_119236067-2ea48c0393f843e194038c72ce532d04.jpg</photo0><caption0>Gov. Tom Wolf </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>LAWMAKERS REACT</strong></p><p><strong>&#8226; U.S. Sen. Bob Casey</strong></p><p>&#8220;I commend Gov. Wolf for issuing a Statewide Disaster Declaration for the heroin and opioid abuse crisis. This declaration will bring additional resources to bear on this horrific public health emergency that has ripped apart far too many families.</p><p>&#8220;Now, the federal government must do its part so that states don&#8217;t have to deal with this alone. I have introduced legislation that would invest $45 billion in programs that combat opioid addiction and provide treatment for those who need it.&#8221;</p><p><strong>&#8226; Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro</strong></p><p>&#8220;Gov. Wolf&#8217;s statewide disaster declaration on the heroin and opioid epidemic is an important step for Pennsylvanians as we confront the number 1 public health and public safety crisis facing our Commonwealth.</p><p>&#8220;This crisis has been my top priority since I took office last January. The Office of Attorney General arrests on average more than four drug dealers a day. Our arrests of medical personnel and others for illegally diverting prescription drugs are up 72 percent. Our national investigation with 41 Attorneys General of the pharmaceutical industry and the opioid painkillers fueling this epidemic is ongoing and active.&#8221;</p><p><strong>&#8226;U.S. Senator Pat Toomey</strong></p><p>&#8220;The opioid and heroin crisis has rightfully drawn bipartisan attention in Congress and all levels of government, with President Trump having already taken the extraordinary step of declaring a nationwide public health emergency. As the devastating effects of this epidemic continue to ravage communities in Pennsylvania, today&#8217;s declaration sends a clear message that more work remains to be done.&#8221;</p><p><strong>&#8226; State Sen. Lisa Baker</strong></p><p>&#8220;The deadly extent and depth of the opioid crisis demands extraordinary actions. As the announced mobilization of state resources moves forward, it is clear that developing the full range of reforms, responses, and remedies necessary will need the input and participation of more than just officials in Harrisburg.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">In the Senate, the starting steps we have put into place have been collaborative and community-inspired. Many worthy recommendations for action have and will continue to emerge from the community &#8211; local officials, emergency responders, health care workers, addictions professionals, and many others.&#8221;</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Governor declares heroin and opioid epidemic a statewide disaster emergency