Two weeks into a statewide opioid emergency declaration made by Governor Tom Wolf, state agencies continue to coordinate efforts to make progress in the fight against this epidemic.
The Opioid Operational Command Center is headquartered at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, known as PEMA.
“There are daily coordination calls with the 10 agencies directly involved in the declaration, which gives us an opportunity to quickly identify resource needs and fulfill them,” Ray Barishansky, Department of Health Deputy Secretary for Health Planning and Assessment, said. “Together, we’re developing tools to collect data that will bolster the state’s response to the epidemic.”
One initiative in development from the Department of Health and EMS agencies is improved reporting methods for overdoses.
While encouraged by the initial results of this focused effort, these agencies continue to collaborate on adding tools to measure how effectively goals are being met. According to Barishansky, there is reason to hope for those struggling with addiction.
“To all Pennsylvania families suffering from this disease, please know treatment works. Recovery is possible. And we must continue to have hope for our families, hope for our communities, and hope for our commonwealth,” he said.
Governor Wolf’s Emergency Declaration will continue through the second week of April.
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