PRINTER'S NO. 1530
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
267
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SCHWANK, SABATINA, TEPLITZ, VULAKOVICH, GREENLEAF,
FARNESE, COSTA, FONTANA, BREWSTER, RESCHENTHALER, STEFANO,
DINNIMAN, BARTOLOTTA, RAFFERTY, YUDICHAK, BAKER, YAW, LEACH,
BROOKS, WHITE, EICHELBERGER, McGARRIGLE, WILEY, AUMENT,
GORDNER, MENSCH, HAYWOOD AND WAGNER, JANUARY 28, 2016
REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, JANUARY 28, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an
advisory committee to study issues relating to the need for,
availability of and access to effective drug addiction
treatment in this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, Abuse and illegal use of drugs directly affects
thousands of residents of this Commonwealth every day, placing
severe financial, emotional and other strains on families,
businesses and communities; and
WHEREAS, More than 925,000 residents of this Commonwealth are
estimated to have drug or alcohol disorders; and
WHEREAS, National studies project that one in four people
with a substance addiction will die as a result of the
addiction; and
WHEREAS, The cost of addiction is estimated to be more than
$700 billion a year nationally from the related crime, lost work
productivity and health care; and
WHEREAS, Decreased funding of inpatient treatment has made
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programs longer than 28 days increasingly rare despite research
showing longer care is commonly required for addiction such as
heroin and opioids; and
WHEREAS, More than 2,400 people in this Commonwealth died
from drug overdoses in 2014, more than twice the number of
deaths by automobile accidents and more than four times the
number of murders from all means; and
WHEREAS, Studies indicate that as many as 80% of criminal
offenders nationally have substance abuse issues; and
WHEREAS, Every dollar spent on treatment is estimated to
result in up to $11 in savings to the public and in medical
costs; and
WHEREAS, There is a reported shortfall of more than 70,000
treatment spaces in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Only about one out of every eight residents of this
Commonwealth who are in need of addiction treatment is able to
access it; and
WHEREAS, Access, infrastructure and funding affect the
ability of a system to provide needed treatment; and
WHEREAS, A variety of procedures and formats are used to
treat addiction, including medication-assisted treatment and
cognitive behavioral therapy; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government
Commission to establish an advisory committee suitable to the
goals and purposes of this resolution; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee include representatives
of the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, Department of
Corrections, Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department
of Education, Department of Health, Department of Human
Services, Insurance Department, Administrative Office of
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Pennsylvania Courts, Juvenile Court Judges' Commission, private
organizations that represent general medical hospitals in this
Commonwealth, addiction treatment programs in this Commonwealth
and insurers who market health care policies in this
Commonwealth, addiction treatment organizations and programs,
including medical specialists in addiction treatment, recovering
addicts and family members of addicts, the Pennsylvania
Association of County Drug and Alcohol Administrators, the
Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, the Pennsylvania
Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Pennsylvania Coalition
Against Rape, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association
and others whose expertise or experience would facilitate the
work of the Joint State Government Commission and advisory
committee; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working
with the advisory committee, conduct a thorough and
comprehensive study of issues relating to the need for,
availability of and access to effective drug addiction treatment
in this Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study review all of the following:
(1) Locations and types of treatment programs, including
length of inpatient programs and outpatient follow-up.
(2) The need for additional treatment resources,
including additional public funding.
(3) The opportunity for residents of this Commonwealth
to access effective treatment.
(4) The prevalence and practical impact of using private
or public funding for treatment.
(5) The identification of particular forms of treatment
and whether it is possible to compare the effectiveness of
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particular forms of treatment.
(6) How to assist consumers in locating and determining
the effectiveness and value of different types of treatment
and programs.
(7) How to encourage and foster emerging, promising
forms of treatment and best practices in this Commonwealth.
(8) Any other relevant issues the Joint State Government
Commission and advisory committee identify as helpful to
improving the availability of effective treatment in this
Commonwealth;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission study
include a process providing for reasonable public comment and
input on issues of treatment access, availability and
effectiveness; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the final report include any recommendations
for changes to statutes, practices, policies, programs and
procedures relating to drug addiction treatment; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
report to the Senate with its findings and recommendations not
later than 18 months from the adoption of this resolution.
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