Harrisburg, PA – This week Addiction Policy Forum officials formally recognized Pennsylvania innovators who are changing the field of addiction at an Innovation Now awards ceremony held in Harrisburg.
The Department of Corrections'
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program and the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) program were recognized at the ceremony. These are the first Innovation Now awards presented to a Department of Corrections.
"I am extremely proud of these two programs and of these exceptional people who lead them," said DOC Secretary John Wetzel. "In both areas we are national leaders in the field thanks to their dedication and efforts."
The Addiction Policy Forum's Innovation Now initiative showcases innovative programs and interventions from across the nation that are actively transforming the field of addiction. According to their website, they imagine a world where these promising innovations are accelerated, scaled up and accessible to communities most in need.
In anticipation of the April 9 ceremony, Addiction Policy Forum officials reached out to the program coordinators – Steve Seitchik and Lynn Patrone, respectively -- to obtain detailed information.
Patrone, who serves as the DOC's Mental Health Advocate, took officials to SCI Muncy to see the CPS program and the training of inmates in action.
The CPS program has been operating in Pennsylvania's corrections system for about eight years, starting with a successful pilot program that was expanded to all facilities. With more than 500 inmates having been trained as CPSs, now there are 20 to 30 CPSs in each facility. The program is working so well, Patrone says their numbers may be increased.
They provide support services to their fellow inmates on different issues, including addiction. Using the peer-to-peer model makes this program similar to sponsorship in other recovery programs. CPSs also seek out other inmates who may need assistance and help them with their short- and long-term recovery goals, plus assist with helping maintain their recovery.
Inmates nominated for the program must have experienced mental illness, addiction or both, and be in recovery. They also must be misconduct-free during their incarceration. Then, participants receive 75 hours of training.
Seitchik, who has a B.S. in psychology from Florida State University and an M.A. in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University, is a national expert in Medication-Assisted Treatment, and the number of individuals who are now being reached with this life-saving medication has increased significantly under his leadership.
The DOC began its MAT program in 2014 with a small group of inmates receiving Vivitrol (Naltrexone) injections just prior to release and then monthly after release for up to one year to treat them for substance use disorder and help them to focus on reentry. By 2018, the program has been implemented at all of Pennsylvania's state prisons. Also, in 2018, the DOC converted six therapeutic communities (TCs) to opiate-specific therapeutic communities.
The agency's work in this area continues by expanding the program to include oral naltrexone maintenance while inmates are in the specialized TCs, and then they are switched to Vivitrol prior to release from prison. In addition, for detoxing and pregnant inmates at SCI Muncy, Sublocade injections are being administered.
On its website,
www.addictionpolicy.org, the Addiction Policy Forum highlights programs in Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire and West Virginia, with
Pennsylvania being the latest publication added to the site.
MEDIA CONTACT: Susan McNaughton, 717-728-4025
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