COMBATING PENNSYLVANIA S OPIOID CRISIS PAID FOR BY SCOTT WAGNER FOR GOVERNOR

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1 COMBATING PENNSYLVANIA S OPIOID CRISIS PAID FOR BY SCOTT WAGNER FOR GOVERNOR

2 Combating the opioid crisis ultimately comes down to having enough resources and using them wisely. My plan will ensure that the investments we make to curb the epidemic are encouraging innovative treatment and recovery programs that work, and we will be able to drive more dollars into these efforts by finally having the courage to take on the drug companies that have gone unaccountable for far too long.

3 I have had the privilege to travel across the commonwealth over the past 20 months and meet thousands of people. Throughout this time, I cannot recall a day when the opioid crisis was not discussed, nor can I remember a day when I did not meet at least one person who was personally impacted by the opioid crisis. Scott and I are committed to solving this crisis, and it starts with collaborating more with local governments and expanding treatment and prevention programs. A crisis that impacts so many Pennsylvanians can only be solved with leadership that is committed to ensuring all stakeholders are on board with our proposed initiatives. 3

4 PLAN IN BRIEF The current drug crisis in Pennsylvania resulted in the reporting of 4,642 drug-related overdose deaths in Misuse and addiction of both illegally and legally obtained opioids has an actual, real cost - in 2015 the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs estimated that Pennsylvania spent over $5 billion to address social and economic costs associated with drug addiction.2 Aside from the massive cost, it affects a multitude of critical issues in our Commonwealth including crime, child welfare, education, infectious diseases, and infant mortality. Working to end this staggering epidemic, Scott Wagner and Jeff Bartos will prioritize addressing this crisis in a meaningful way, guaranteeing long-term results. 1. FUNDING AND SUPPORTING MEANINGFUL RECOVERY FOR PENNSYLVANIANS. Access to recovery support for those battling addiction is necessary in curbing this crisis. Scott and Jeff will expand investment into our local communities, providing access to funding for programs that produce lasting results to end opioid dependence. 2. TAKING ON OPIOID MANUFACTURERS. Pennsylvania has thus far refused to sue the opioid manufacturers whose approach to flooding the market with cheap opioids is at the root of the current problem. As governor, Scott will seek to hold manufacturers accountable and recoup state and local funds that have been drained by this epidemic. 3. CRACKING DOWN ON THE HEROIN AND ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE. Scott and Jeff will not only allocate additional funding for enforcement to dry up the supply of opioids available on the street, but they will also direct the focus of the criminal justice system on the suppliers of these illegal substances instead of on the users. 4. CURBING SUBSTANCE ABUSE THROUGH PREVENTION EFFORTS. Scott and Jeff know that efficient education and programs limiting over prescription of opioids can be effective tools in preventing addiction. They will continue to support changes in the law and implement educational programs, fighting this crisis by striving to prevent addiction from occurring in the first place. 5. EXPANDING ACCESS TO CRUCIAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS. Those in recovery from addiction should have an opportunity to access every possible support mechanism to provide the long-term and lasting results needed to combat addiction. Scott and Jeff will work to provide the help and resources necessary to those suffering with substance abuse. 1: Analysis of Overdose Deaths in Pennsylvania, : Jeffrey Benzing, Agency battling drug crisis has big job, little money, Public Source.org, January 10,

5 SUMMARY One of the largest issues we currently face in Pennsylvania is the opioid and heroin epidemic. We are losing our citizens at a staggering rate, and the epidemic has become a major cost driver for our affected families and for the Commonwealth as a whole. From Scott s personal experience as a co-founder of the York County Heroin Task Force, now the York Regional Opiate Collaborative, he knows the most effective way to address this epidemic is through a multi-pronged approach, including prevention, treatment and recovery. Scott will convene an Opioid Addiction Summit on November 27, 2018, creating a Crisis Action Team drawing together representatives from all areas involved in combating this epidemic including health care professionals, emergency responders, educators, law enforcement, the faith community, coroners, and local elected officials. Scott will seek solutions to this epidemic from those fighting against it every day, and he will begin that work even before he is sworn in. As governor, Scott will support and implement proven strategies. He will lead efforts to: Enhancing Access to Continued Recovery Support Holding Drug Manufacturers Responsible Cutting Off Access to Illegally Sold Substances Stepping Up Prevention Efforts Assisting Treatment Programs 5

6 ENHANCING ACCESS TO CONTINUED RECOVERY SUPPORT IMPLEMENT THE DEPENDENCE CESSATION PROGRAM Scott will implement the Dependence Cessation Program, a pay-for-success project, which will support programs with a demonstrated success rate for ending opioid dependence. This initiative will provide access to $15 million to support and expand recovery programs, providing continued and increased access for our citizens. Pay-for-Success projects ensure accountability, and most importantly provide financing to support programs proven to be valuable to Pennsylvania citizens battling addiction. In 2016, Pennsylvania spent $32 million in relation to admissions for opioid overdoses. By enhancing funding for programs with proven metrics of success to end opioid dependence, we can ensure our taxpayer dollars will be driven to treating this epidemic and are no longer funding overdose admissions. Those programs providing long-term and lasting results for Pennsylvanians will have access to the financing they need, and they will be repaid for their investment once their programs have achieved previously agreed-to metrics. INVEST IN LOCAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Our local communities are already invested in curbing this epidemic and can provide extensive insight into the impact of addiction throughout Pennsylvania. Every community is different, and preventative options and treatment approaches work differently for each. As governor, Scott will work with our local elected officials and our department heads to create a line item within our budget to provide a stream of funding, granting our local communities access to the necessary funds to implement efforts proven to work for them. These grants will enable our local communities the ability to expand access and capacity to fight our current epidemic. BREAK DOWN THE STIGMA BARRIER One of the major issues of this epidemic is the stigma that has long been associated with substance abuse. Individuals in many instances won t seek the treatment they need out of fear of how they will be perceived within their community. We must change the narrative - substance abuse does not discriminate and effects all of our families and communities equally. As governor, Scott will work to change the perception that addiction is a moral failing. He will work with the Department of Health and Human Services, developing outreach initiatives ensuring that those suffering from any mental or health disorder will no longer be hesitant to seek treatment. EXPAND TELEMEDICINE As use of Telemedicine has grown, it has been shown to improve access to care in rural areas, led to an increase in the efficiency of health care providers, and helped decrease costs. As governor, Scott will support the implementation of a statutory framework to ensure legal guidelines are in place to protect patients accessing those services and will remove any existing administrative barriers. To ensure everyone has access to this meaningful health resource, Scott will expand broadband access across the Commonwealth. Telemedicine has proven useful in providing continuing care to those on the path to recovery and we should exploit this beneficial service. 6

7 HOLDING DRUG MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBLE One of the most startling concerns surrounding abuse of opioids is that the production and marketing of these drugs is not at the hand of criminals, but by some of our largest drug manufacturers. It is estimated that 80% of the world s opioids are consumed in the United States and that in 2015, there were 300 million prescriptions for opioids written.3 Some states have taken the initiative to sue pharmaceutical companies for deceptive marketing and overpromotion of prescription opioids, seeking to recoup monies spent by public agencies battling the opioid epidemic. As governor, Scott will work with the Attorney General to file suit against the manufacturers and distributors responsible for fueling this epidemic, seeking to recapture public funds spent tackling this crisis at the state and local level. CUTTING OFF ACCESS TO ILLEGALLY SOLD SUBSTANCES INVESTING IN ENFORCEMENT As governor, Scott will allocate the funding needed for local law enforcement, our state police, as well as the Attorney General s Drug Task Forces to guarantee investment in necessary resources to dry up the supply of prescription opioids and heroin sold on the streets of Pennsylvania. Recently, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that resulted in the reinstatement of the Cash Assistance Program, which has not been used by the Commonwealth for over 6 years. Scott will correct this issue in law, ending this program and using the over $150 million to fund increased enforcement to assist in curbing this epidemic. INCREASING PENALTIES FOR DRUG DEALERS As governor, Scott will work with our Judicial system as well as the General Assembly to increase penalties for those directly contributing to the poisoning of our citizens. Scott will seek to increase fines and sentences for specific offenses and will permit our courts to seek the death penalty, where warranted, for the worst offenders. Taking this approach will make it clear to anyone seeking to profit at the expense of our citizens, we will hold you accountable to the highest extent of the law. STRENGTHENING MONITORING AT THE PORT OF PHILADELPHIA The Port of Philadelphia has seen an uptick in the amount of drugs passing through its docks. Most recently this summer, $1.7 million worth of Fentanyl was seized. To ensure that we are doing everything possible to end drug channels through our Port, Governor Wagner will work with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection offering any further assistance that may be required at the state level to cut off access to illegal drugs before they hit our streets. 3: Dina Gustovosky, Americans Consume Vast Majority of the World s Opioids, CNBC, April 27,

8 STEPPING UP PREVENTION EFFORTS REVAMPING DRUG EDUCATION Although our schools are required to provide drug education to students, it is clear our traditional programs are not working. As governor, Scott will work with the Department of Education and Health and Human Services to develop a comprehensive Alcohol, Chemical and Tobacco Abuse program that will be effective at educating our students. Our children must be educated not only on the fatal effects of heroin, but also about the risks of pain medication abuse, even if it is legitimately prescribed. We must develop and employ this successful tool, which can be utilized to curb substance abuse. Education should not end in our classrooms, Scott will push to create access to information for parents and our local communities about the dangers of opiates, guaranteeing effective information is accessible for everyone in Pennsylvania. IMPLEMENTING NECESSARY CHANGES IN LAW While representing the 28th Pennsylvania Senate District as a Senator, Scott was supportive of a package of bills which revamped our Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, set limits on prescribing opioids to minors, established a safe prescription education curriculum and expanded drop-off locations for unused prescription drugs. He will compile all of the recommendations from the Opioid Addiction Summit, issuing a permissible executive order as well as working with the General Assembly to develop legislation addressing all of those recommendations. As governor, Scott will continue to push for, and will support any legislative proposals meeting his objective of curbing this epidemic. 8

9 ASSISTING TREATMENT PROGRAMS INCREASE ACCESS TO BEDS As Scott has campaigned around Pennsylvania, one of the most prevalent issues he has heard about is the current lack of access to beds for those seeking treatment. As governor, Scott will evaluate where access can be expanded and remove any administrative barriers to ensure availability of beds will no longer be an obstacle to treatment. He will work with the Department of Health and Human Services, eliminating any regulations blocking this necessary path to recovery. He will further apply for any necessary federal waivers to ensure that we are appropriately leveraging federal funds, securing pervasive treatment for all. EASE REGULATORY AND LICENSING BURDEN FOR CO-OCCURRING TREATMENT In many instances, access to mental health services is needed in conjunction with substance abuse treatment. Currently, bureaucratic oversight has led to difficulties in providing this necessary care for our citizens. As governor, Scott will work with the legislature and department agency heads to ensure that regulatory and licensing burdens are eliminated, guaranteeing access to any and all essential treatments for Pennsylvanians struggling with addiction. EXPAND DRUG COURT Pennsylvania s Drug Courts provide a pathway to break the cycle of abuse. Drug dealers must be punished and removed from our local communities, but in some instances, incarcerating the drug user does not further our justice system s goal of rehabilitation. As governor, Scott will work with our judicial system and the Attorney General to expand drug court access and other diversionary programs to further assist sustained recovery, guaranteeing these individuals arrested for drugrelated offenses receive the treatment needed to reenter society. ASSIST ADDICTED INDIVIDUALS IN THE PRISON SYSTEM An unfortunate aspect of addiction is that many times those suffering from addiction are sent to jail due to drug-related crimes. Incarceration can offer an unusual opportunity to break the cycle of abuse, however, by providing effective treatment to an inmate battling addiction. Our Pennsylvania prisons offer drug treatment programs, but Scott knows that we can and must do more. As governor, Scott will work with the Department of Corrections to expand these programs and ensure the most up-to-date curriculum is being utilized. He will further implement increased monitoring protocols and institute a zero-tolerance policy and increased penalties for those caught smuggling drugs into our prisons. Many times it is easier to get drugs in jail than on the street, and Scott will work to end this unreasonable access to drugs. 9