Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

04/16/2026

Spread the word this 📢 Prevention works. Treatment is effective. for everyone. If you or someone you know needs support for alcohol misuse, help is available at samhsa.gov/find-help

04/15/2026

Join us in welcoming Heather to DDAP!

As Director of the Procurement and Contracting Division, Heather oversees the department’s contracts and procurement activities, ensuring policies and requirements are implemented across programs.

Heather joins us from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention, where she most recently served as a Public Health Program Manager overseeing statewide overdose prevention and surveillance grants and contracts.

Her work included supporting the distribution of 50,000 wound care kits, managing contracts for overdose response training, and helping expand community-based prevention and linkage-to-care efforts.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in public health from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in health care administration from Champlain College.

Interested in a career with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania? Browse current job openings at employment.pa.gov.

04/15/2026

Treating crisis differently.

WTAJ covered Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones’ visit to UPMC Altoona’s Behavioral Health Pod—where people experiencing mental health and substance use crises can access care outside of a traditional emergency department.

Backed by a $775,000 investment through opioid settlement funding secured by Governor Josh Shapiro, nearly 500 people have already received care here.

🎥 Watch:

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Treating patients in crisis continues to be a topic of conversation between state leaders and healthcare providers. UPMC Altoona administrators met with state health officials…

04/14/2026

In Pennsylvania, Black women are twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. We’re working to change that.

That’s why we’ve invested more than $12.3 million into maternal health, expanding access to postpartum depression screenings that make pregnancies, deliveries, and postpartum care safer.

AND we recently released a new Maternal Health Strategic Plan that focuses specifically on addressing Black women’s needs — like expanding the number of Black maternal health workers and creating new mental health programs for Black moms who are struggling.

This Black Maternal Health Week — and every week — we’re committed to improving health care for Black moms across Pennsylvania.

04/14/2026

When someone is in crisis, where they go matters.

Earlier today, Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones visited UPMC Altoona’s Behavioral Health Pod—an alternative to the traditional emergency department for people experiencing mental health and substance use crises.

She toured the unit and met with hospital staff and the local drug and alcohol office, Blair Drug and Alcohol Partnerships, to hear how it’s connecting people to the right level of care.

Nearly 500 Pennsylvanians have already received care here.

Funded in part by opioid settlement dollars secured by Governor Shapiro, this model is working—and his proposed budget builds on it with continued investment in crisis stabilization centers across Pennsylvania.

04/14/2026

Every second counts—and the voices who answer the call make all the difference.

This , thank you to the dispatchers, crisis counselors, and helpline specialists connecting Pennsylvanians to life-saving help—24/7.

From 911 and 988 to our Get Help Now drug and alcohol helpline and gambling helpline, you are a critical link to care.

Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget continues to invest in strengthening 988 and crisis response across Pennsylvania.

04/13/2026

Black Maternal Health Week highlights a reality we can’t ignore.

Disparities in maternal health outcomes persist—and behavioral health, including substance use disorder, is part of that picture.

Through the Maternal Health Strategic Action Plan, Pennsylvania is working to expand access to care, reduce stigma, and support whole-person health—so moms and babies can be healthy and thrive.

Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget includes $7.5 million to continue and expand these efforts—focused on postpartum depression screening, improving access to care, and reducing maternal mortality and disparities.

04/13/2026

At our Emerging Drug Trends Symposium, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh highlighted how the Governor’s proposed budget strengthens connections to care—especially during reentry, when it matters most.

04/13/2026

From overdoses to alcohol poisoning to other substance-related emergencies—EMS is there.

Investments like this help ensure lifesaving care is ready when every second counts.

04/13/2026

Workforce training should reflect the realities of the work. If you supervise, manage, or lead in the substance use or gambling disorder field, our Training Section needs your input!

Take our Workforce Training Needs Survey by May 1 at the link in the comments.

04/12/2026

For the Sunday scaries and every day, help for drugs or alcohol is just a call, text, or chat away—including help finding treatment options if you’re uninsured.

📞 Call: 1-800-662-HELP
📱 Text: 717-216-0905
💬 Chat: link in comments

04/11/2026

Every $1 invested in youth substance use prevention can save about $18 later.

Prevention is public health—helping young people build resilience, support their mental health, and make healthier decisions around alcohol and other substances.

Through DDAP-funded prevention programs and school-based supports, like the Student Assistance Program, this work reaches students across Pennsylvania.

During National Public Health Week, we’re highlighting the impact of investing early.

Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget builds on that progress—allowing schools to hire substance use disorder counselors and strengthen early support.