A national organization that is on the front lines of the battle against drug addiction has recognized a state program that has its roots in Armstrong, Indiana, and Clarion counties.
The Addiction Policy Forum, based in Washington D.C., yesterday honored Pennsylvania’s Warm Hand-Off program for its system of transitioning overdose victims from hospital emergency rooms into treatment programs. The effort began in Armstrong, Indiana, and Clarion counties in January 2016, establishing protocols for seamless transitions to get people from the ER into recovery programs.
The APF’s Spotlight Series Initiative highlights “effective, innovative programs across the country that contribute to a comprehensive strategy to address addiction.”
Armstrong, Indiana, and Clarion counties operate a referral system called “ARMOT”, which stands for “Addiction Recovery Mobile Outreach Team”. From May of 2015 through April of this year, it referred 789 patients to treatment programs in the three counties. Twelve percent (95 people) were admitted after an overdose.
Of those 789 referrals, 275 people entered the treatment program after assessment and
163 of them completed it. The top two statistical problem areas are opioids and alcohol.
Mark O’Brien of the Addiction Policy Forum will be a guest on Indiana In the Morning on WCCS next Friday morning.
