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Facts & Resources About Addiction Intervention in Pennsylvania

Intervention Helpline offers nationwide intervention services for families all over the United States, but in the wake of the opioid epidemic in America, we find ourselves continually being called to help families in the state of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s rural and urban communities have seen some of the most severe repercussions from the overprescribing of opioid painkillers to the illicit heroin trade.

On January 10, 2018, Gov. Tom Wolf declared a state of emergency in Pennsylvania in response to the worsening epidemic of opioid overdoses and deaths. Governor Wolf went on to renew the disaster declaration on June 29, 2018, a move that allows opioid abuse prevention and treatment initiatives to continue, uninterrupted.

Prevention and rehabilitation initiatives have allowed many families to find treatment options for substance abuse and addiction. And with these options remaining open, Pennsylvania families still have a chance to get help for loved ones who are struggling with addiction, substance abuse, dependence and mental health conditions.

Drug Rehabs and Addiction Treatment Programs in Pennsylvania

There are a wide range of rehab options in Pennsylvania, from state-funded addiction treatment programs to outpatient rehab programs and residential inpatient treatment programs in PA. The options are countless, and families – of course – want to make the right decision on where to send a loved one to recover. So, how can families sort through the options?

Addiction Treatment and Recovery Case Management Pennsylvania

Intervention Helpline assists families with the full continuum of addiction recovery, from the initial intervention and recovery planning through treatment and into aftercare and relapse prevention. Our program is called “Addiction Treatment and Recovery Case Management,” and it helps families manage the needs of their loved one throughout every phase of recovery.

We Know How Difficult It Is When Someone You Love Is in Danger of Losing Their Life to Drugs and Alcohol.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOUR FAMILY THROUGH THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME

Speak with a Recovery Case Manager

Drug Overdose Deaths in Pennsylvania Are Increasing Every Year, Claiming More Lives and Bringing More Burdens on Families.

Substance abuse and addiction have long been problems in the United States, on the East Coast, and in Pennsylvania. In recent years, opioids have emerged as the biggest problem to affect the state.

Yes, Pennsylvania has seen decreases in drug arrests and addiction treatment admissions for illicit drugs like methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine. However, opioid-related arrests and treatment admissions have only been increasing in Pennsylvania over the last few years.

Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Addiction Statistics

How Many Prescription Opioids Are Prescribed in Pennsylvania Per Year?

Overprescribing opioid-based painkillers continues to be a problem in Pennsylvania, with prescription rates in some counties outnumbering the residents. Counties showing some of the more concerning numbers include:

  • Fayette County: 128.8 Opioid Prescriptions per 100 Residents
  • Lackawanna County: 112.1 Opioid Prescriptions per 100 Residents
  • Mercer County: 109.2 Opioid Prescriptions per 100 Residents
  • Blair County: 105.5 Opioid Prescriptions per 100 Residents
  • Cameron County: 100.2 Opioid Prescriptions per 100 Residents
  • Cambria County 98.7 Opioid Prescriptions per 100 Residents
  • Crawford County: 84.4 Opioid Prescriptions per 100 Residents
  • Mifflin County: 82.3 Opioid Prescriptions per 100 Residents
How Many Opioids Are Prescribed in Pennsylvania Each Year?

2016 Opioid Prescriptions Per 100 People | Source: The Pennsylvania State Coroners Associate | pacoroners.org

Pennsylvania Drug Overdose Statistics

Here are a few pertinent statistics to know to understand Pennsylvania’s recent struggles with drugs:

  • There were 535 drug-related deaths in Pennsylvania in just the first six months of 2018. More than 450 of those deaths were related to opioids.
  • 1,217 deaths in Pennsylvania in 2017 were attributed to opioids.
  • 847 deaths were attributed to fentanyl in 2017.
  • 490 deaths were attributed to cocaine in 2017.
  • 458 deaths were attributed to heroin/morphine in 2017.
  • 427 deaths were attributed to benzodiazepines in 2017.
  • 67 deaths were attributed to methamphetamine in 2017.
  • Nearly 5,000 lives were lost to drugs in Pennsylvania in 2016.

2016 Pennsylvania Drug Overdose Death Statistics By Drug Type

  • Percentage of Overdose Deaths Involving Fentanyl: 25%
  • Percentage of Overdose Deaths Involving Heroin: 22%
  • Percentage of Overdose Deaths Involving Benzodiazepines: 16%
  • Percentage of Overdose Deaths Involving Cocaine: 13%
  • Percentage of Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids (Not Heroin or Fentanyl): 12%
  • Percentage of Overdose/Poisoning Deaths Involving Ethanol (Alcohol): 9%
  • Percentage of Overdose Deaths Involving Other Illicit Drugs: 3%

Pennsylvania Increases in Drug Overdose Deaths By County from 2015 to 2016

Statewide, there was an increase of 1,382 drug overdose deaths in Pennsylvania in 2016 compared to 2015.

However, several Pennsylvania counties saw decreases in overdose deaths from 2015 to 2016, including:

The Opioid Epidemic in Pennsylvania

The Opioid Epidemic in Pennsylvania | Source: The Pennsylvania State Coroners Associate | pacoroners.org

  • Warren County, PA – No change in the number of deaths.
  • Carbon County, PA – No change in the number of deaths.
  • Jefferson County, PA – No change in the number of deaths.
  • McKean County, PA – No change in the number of deaths.
  • Wayne County, PA – Saw 1 less death in 2016.
  • Cameron County. PA – Saw 1 less death in 2016.
  • Clearfield County, PA – Saw 2 fewer deaths in 2016.
  • Forest County, PA – Saw 2 fewer deaths in 2016.
  • Huntingdon County, PA – Saw 3 fewer deaths in 2016.
  • Lebanon County, PA – Saw 4 fewer deaths in 2016.
  • Chester County, PA – Saw the largest decrease with 27 fewer deaths in 2016.

The rest of the counties of Pennsylvania saw increases in drug overdose deaths from 2015 to 2016. The smaller numbers in the rural counties really bring added humanity to the statistics, as each single +1 is an additional life lost in Pennsylvania. From the smallest increase to the largest, here are the numbers of additional drug overdose deaths in various Pennsylvania counties in 2016:

  • Potter County, PA: (+1)
  • Sullivan County, PA: (+1)
  • Clarion County, PA: (+2)
  • Juniata County, PA: (+2)
  • Snyder County, PA: (+2)
  • Montour County, PA: (+2)
  • Monroe County, PA: (+2)
  • Venango County, PA: (+3)
  • Centre County, PA: (+3)
  • Susquehanna County, PA: (+3)
  • Wyoming County, PA: (+4)
  • Greene County, PA: (+5)
  • Somerset County, PA: (+5)
  • Bedford County, PA: (+5)
  • Elk County, PA: (+5)
  • Tioga County, PA: (+5)
  • Clinton County, PA: (+6)
  • Mifflin County, PA: (+6)
  • Bradford County, PA: (+6)
  • Blair County, PA: (+7)
  • Perry County, PA: (+7)
  • Pike County, PA: (+7)
  • Fulton County, PA: (+8)
  • Dauphin County, PA: (+8)
  • Lycoming County, PA: (+10)
  • Lackawanna County, PA: (+10)
  • Northampton County, PA: (+10)
  • Crawford County, PA: (+11)
  • Northumberland County, PA: (+11)
  • Columbia County, PA: (+12)
  • Mercer County, PA: (+13)
  • Armstrong County, PA: (+13)
  • Lawrence County, PA: (+15)
  • Indiana County, PA: (+17)
  • Fayette County, PA: (+20)
  • Adams County, PA: (+20)
  • Cumberland County, PA: (+23)
  • Delaware County, PA: (+23)
  • Franklin County, PA: (+25)
  • Erie County, PA: (+27)
  • Butler County, PA: (+27)
  • York County, PA: (+35)
  • Washington County, PA: (+36)
  • Cambria County, PA: (+37)
  • Lehigh County, PA: (+42)
  • Bucks County, PA: (+45)
  • Luzerne County, PA: (+45)
  • Schuylkill County, PA: (+53)
  • Berks County, PA: (+54)
  • Westmoreland County, PA: (+58)
  • Beaver County, PA: (+67)
  • Montgomery County, PA: (+78)
  • Philadelphia County, PA: (+205)
  • Allegheny County, PA: (+234)
Primary Source: http://www.pacoroners.org/Uploads/Pennsylvania_State_Coroners_Association_Drug_Report_2016.pdf
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