Grant Awarded to Help Address Opioid Problem in Susquehanna County, Say Pickett, Fritz

February 19, 2020

HARRISBURG – The Lackawanna/Susquehanna Single County Authority has been awarded funding by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to coordinate criminal justice diversion programs for individuals with an opioid addiction, according to Reps. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) and Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne).

The $206,922 grant will be used to help establish new drug recovery programs by collaborating with local police departments, the district attorney and treatment providers. These programs will be an alternative to incarceration for individuals whose criminal behavior is directly due to their substance abuse disorder.

“The opioid epidemic is impacting communities statewide, including Susquehanna County,” said Pickett. “The programs to be created by this funding have proven to be successful, and our great hope is that they will have a similar positive impact on the lives of those in our area who are struggling with addiction.”

“With the opioid crisis continuing to be a severe issue in the Commonwealth, this funding will help establish new programs as well as build upon existing programs to ensure that those dealing with addiction have access to the help they need in order to get clean and stay clean,” said Fritz.

DDAP awarded nearly $1.5 million to seven local authorities statewide. The funding was made available through the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Representative Tina Pickett
110th Legislative District
RepPickett.com / Facebook.com/RepPickett
Representative Jonathan Fritz
111th Legislative District
RepFritzPA.com / Facebook.com/RepFritz
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pickett Media Contact: Andy Briggs 717-260-6474
Fritz Media Contact: Abby Krueger 717-260-6617