Pa. opioid disaster declaration is coming to an end

Pennsylvania’s opioid disaster declaration, which was first put in place more than three years ago, is now coming to an end.

Gov. Tom Wolf issued the disaster declaration for the opioid crisis in January 2018 and renewed it 15 times. The Democratic governor sought to renew it again this month.

But the Republican-controlled General Assembly said earlier this month the order would not be extended. The disaster declaration expires today, Aug. 25.

Voters approved changes to the state constitution earlier this year giving the legislature more power to extend or cut off disaster declarations.

“When I first signed Pennsylvania’s opioid disaster declaration in 2018, it was an important tool in our fight to save lives,” Wolf said in a statement Wednesday. “The disaster declaration allowed us to work together more effectively to reduce overdose deaths and help Pennsylvanians obtain treatment and pursue recovery.”

In his statement, Wolf added, “The General Assembly has determined that a disaster declaration is no longer our most effective tool against the opioid epidemic and has declined to extend it. But our fight is not over. We have an obligation to support individuals desperately in need of substance use disorder services and supports. With or without a disaster declaration, this will remain a top priority of my administration.”

Unlike Wolf’s previous disaster declarations, the governor now faces more stringent limits on his emergency powers. Previously, Wolf could issue disaster declarations that would last 90 days. But that changed when voters approved a change to the state constitution in the May primary.

Now, a governor’s disaster declaration can only last 21 days. Voters also approved another change to the constitution to allow the legislature to extend or end a disaster declaration by a majority vote. In June, lawmakers voted to end Wolf’s COVID-19 emergency disaster declaration.

Lawmakers pushed to curb the governor’s emergency powers after numerous clashes with Wolf over his measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, including tough restrictions on businesses.

In his statement on the end of the opioid disaster declaration, Wolf noted the pandemic has led to more struggles with substance abuse.

“Unfortunately, the isolation and disruption caused by the pandemic over the past year and half has also caused a heartbreaking increase in substance use disorder and overdose deaths,” Wolf said. “Now more than ever, it is essential that we continue our efforts to fight stigma, increase access to treatment and reduce deaths related to substance use disorder. That’s why I asked the General Assembly to return to Harrisburg in August to renew this disaster declaration.”

Top Republican leaders, including Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre, and House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, said earlier this month tackling the opioid crisis remains a top legislative priority. Lawmakers are on summer recess and scheduled to return to session next month.

Wolf’s office cited a number of steps in recent years to curb substance abuse, including the expanded use of naloxone, which can counter the effects of an opioid overdose. Community organizations now have greater access to naloxone. The Wolf administration also pointed to a drop in opioid prescriptions, the addition of nearly 900 drug take-back boxes and educational efforts aimed at curbing substance abuse.

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