State ranked eighth for drug treatment, mental health spending | Pennsylvania

(The Center Square) — A recent analysis identifies Pennsylvania a national leader in treating drug addiction.

Using federal data on addiction treatment facilities and mental health spending, Pennsylvania ranked 8th in the nation according to the Freedom Center, a rehabilitation center in Maryland.

Maine, Alaska, and Vermont were ranked highest, with Montana, Washington, D.C., Wyoming, and Kentucky finishing above Pennsylvania.

The commonwealth has four rehab facilities per 100,000 people, the center noted, and spends $282 per capita on mental health.

Of the top 10 states, Pennsylvania had the fewest facilities per capita, but was fifth in mental health spending per capita.

Though the analysis only looked at two metrics, Pennsylvania officials took pride in the ranking.

“It is encouraging to see Pennsylvania among the top ten in the country for our substance use disorder treatment access and investments. It really confirms our commitment to the mission and values of the department and to the strong partnerships we have in the field,” said Latika Davis-Jones, secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Program. “The Shapiro Administration continually strives to have the most accessible, equitable, and highest quality treatment available for those who need it most in Pennsylvania.”

DDAP emphasized that Pennsylvanians can call its toll-free hotline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to get connected with treatment resources for themselves or a loved one 24/7. Funding is available to help pay for treatment, and an online Treatment Atlas lists facilities that offer help.

Addiction treatment has been goosed on the county level thanks to opioid settlement money flowing in.

During the December meeting of the Pennsylvania opioid trust, they detailed $80 million in spending in recent months. Helping people rebuild communities and providing recovery services have become popular ways to use the funds, as has making overdose-reversal drug naloxone available to the public.

Counties can use settlement funds in a variety of ways; by addressing the problem at its root, the hope is that other negative effects will be stopped. Mental health and drug addiction, police have noted, plays a major role in the crimes to which they respond.