Pennsylvania Drug Statistics and Resources

PRO-A Workforce Support Project

Helps those in recovery find good jobs while maintaining recovery. 6-12 month program with peer support, operates in 14 counties in SE Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh Mercy

Mental health and addiction treatment for adults, children, and adolescents that includes medical care, Hep C/STD screening, wound care, DUI programs, housing services and emergency housing that allows dogs/cats, and drug court services. They also provide a center with coffee, computers, connections to social services, grab-and-go lunches, housing services, hygiene kits, laundry, mail, showers, snacks, and free WIFI.

Pennsylvania 211

A free service available to connect people in Pennsylvania to services, including help with housing, food, shelter, employment, and crisis support.

Unity Recovery

A nonprofit organization providing peer-based recovery services for people with substance use disorder by people with lived experience. With locations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Weatherford, Unity provides recovery planning services, pregnancy and postpartum support, a Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative, harm reduction services, and online meetings.

Harm Reduction Coalition

Promotes safer drug use through two finder tools: the Nasen website to locate sterile syringes near you, and Next Distro to get naloxone by mail.

Prevention Point Philadelphia

Testing, treatment, medical clinics, syringe exchange, and harm reduction supplies.

Prevention Point Pittsburgh

Provides harm reduction supplies across 5 locations, including plastic razors, naloxone, and overdose prevention resources. You’ll also get access and support to find other services, like shelter, food, and medical care.

Drug Take-back Program

Use this page to find locations to drop off old, unwanted, or unused prescription medications to prevent them from getting into the wrong hands.

Savage Sisters

A nonprofit organization providing trauma-informed recovery housing, harm reduction, outreach, education, and advocacy.

A grassroots organization dedicated to promoting harm reduction in PA. You’ll find advocacy resources, public education, harm reduction resources and supplies, including information on overdose prevention, drug information, a community bail fund, treatment lists, safe injection guides, sex worker rights, family support, HIV and HCV resources, statewide data, housing, crisis, support groups, and more.

Dept of Drug and Alcohol Programs

Drug and alcohol facility locator page.

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

A comprehensive list of substance abuse services, including:

• County drug and alcohol agencies: Find county locations and contact information of agencies near you.
• Department of Health drug and alcohol treatment facilities: Locator tool

Pennsylvania Network of Care

Information, service directories, research library, free training, government resources, and social services.

Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance program

Supports individuals to determine eligibility for medical assistance, managed care, and fee-for-service. They may refer you to the local county assistance office, or local Social Security Administration office.

Centers of Excellence

Locate one of 45 primary care practices, health centers, treatment providers, and SCAs for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

A woman-centered outpatient substance abuse treatment program to support reunification. This program also provides medication-assisted treatment.

COMPASS

An online tool to apply for health and human services programs and manage benefit information.

Penn State Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC)

Supports individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. They provide a student-run recovery program called Lions for Recovery, recovery housing, seminars, recovery groups, education, and other resources.

Association of Recovery in Higher Education

Provides access to collegiate recovery programs and events across the nation.

Students Recover

An accessible collegiate recovery resource for students attending schools least likely to offer collegiate recovery programs, like minority institutions, community colleges, and trade schools.

Saint Joseph’s University

A collegiate recovery program providing a recovery residence at Logan Hall for students in recovery who want to live in a supportive community.

Community College of Philadelphia

Has a dedicated office of collegiate recovery to help students achieve and sustain their recovery goals. Provides on-campus support groups, mentoring, educational, and other support services.

PFLAG Pennsylvania

LGBTQ+ organization providing advocacy, education, and support for individuals in Harrisburg and Central Pennsylvania.

Translifeline

Peer support for trans people by trans people, providing crisis, mental health, and suicide prevention support.

GLO

A community resource center for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults of color, including testing, therapy, PrEP, and access to social services.

Call BlackLine

LGBTQ+ support including peer services, counseling, and mental health resources. BIPOC individuals are prioritized.

Modern Military Association of America (MMAA)

In conjunction with PFLAG, MMAA provides online meetings for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Offers mental health and addiction treatment for active military personnel and veterans. Visit their substance use page for more information, including how to identify if you or your loved one has a problem with substances. Find VA treatment near you using their locator tool.

National Center for PTSD

A leading educational resource on PTSD, which includes resources for treatment.

Veterans Crisis Line

Mental health and crisis support for veterans. Call 1-800-273-8255.

Council of Three Rivers

American Indian centered resources, including mental health, substance abuse, student loan, financial, and shelter-related services.

Live Another Day

A treatment locator that has been ranked by Council of Three Rivers as a culturally competent treatment resource for people of color and their allies.

Blackburn Center Hotline

24 hour a day and 7 day a week confidential domestic abuse hotline. Access free and supportive counselors, learn about different types of abuse, take action, and get help. Their website also features a quick exit button. Call 1-888-832-2272.

White Bison

Culturally-based recovery healing for indigenous people. A nationwide organization providing Wellbriety Circles, meetings, and events. They also have a list of Wellbriety certified treatment centers.

Syringe Possession & Distribution

• Syringes are considered drug paraphernalia if they are used, or intended to be used for injecting controlled substances.
• Use, delivery, possession, intent to deliver, and manufacture of drug paraphernalia is a misdemeanor. There are higher penalties if a child under 3 is involved.
• While there is no state law permitting syringe exchanges, several local community organizations are authorized to provide these services.

Naloxone Access Law

• A prescriber may prescribe naloxone either directly or through the naloxone standing order, to those they believe is at risk of overdose.
• Law enforcement and fire departments can obtain and administer naloxone so long as they have completed training.
• Healthcare providers who prescribe or provide naloxone in good faith are protected from criminal and civil liability, as well as professional disciplinary actions, except where their acts were with intent to harm or with reckless indifference to harm.

Good Samaritan Law

A person may not be charged or prosecuted with various drug and drug paraphernalia, or a violation of their probation or parole, if: the evidence discovered was because they were assisting a person experiencing an overdose by either connecting with law enforcement or being transported to a healthcare facility; or they called in good faith and provided their name and contact information, and waited until help arrived.

Naloxone Standing Order

Under the state law in PA, pharmacists may give naloxone (nasal spray or autoinjector) to people at risk of overdose. The law also allows refills.