December 2014

DECEMBER 2014
Gazette
VOLUME 27, ISSUE 5
GAUDENZIA
A D D I C T I O N T R E AT M E N T & R E COV E R Y S E R V I C E S
Mike Harle
testifying at the
hearing.
Landmark Legislation in Pennsylvania
Narcan/Good Samaritan Law
In response to the opioid overdose crisis plaguing the community,
Senate Bill 1164 was signed into law on September 30, 2014
(Act 139 of 2014). The law increases the availability of Narcan,
a prescription drug that helps prevent heroin/opioid overdose deaths,
to police, firefighters, other first responders, families and friends.
The bill provides civil, criminal and professional immunity to those
who administer Narcan.
The legislation also provides Good Samaritan immunity from
criminal prosecution for those who call for help for people in an
overdose. Act 139 of 2014 took effect on November 30.
Prescription Drug
Monitoring Program Law
Senate Bill 1180 (Act 191 of 2014)
It has been reported by various Narcotics Officers and County
Coroners that nine out of ten opioid overdose deaths in Pennsylvania
were individuals who started using opioids by abusing prescription
medications first. In response, Senate Bill 1180 was signed into law on
October 27, 2014. The law establishes a confidential Prescription Drug
Monitoring database for professionals who prescribe or dispense addictive
prescription medication. The law is expected to improve physician
prescribing practices of these drugs, reduce doctor shopping and
diversion and provide training for physicians and others in identification
and referral of heroin/opioid abuses.
Provisions of the Act that establish the Achieving Better Care
by Monitoring All Prescriptions Program (ABC-MAP) Board in the
Department of Health will go into effect in 90 days. The Secretary
of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs or designee will be
one of the Board members. Other provisions of the Act will go into
effect on June 30, 2015.
Schuylkill
County
Informational
Meeting on
Heroin Use
On August 26, at Penn State University
Schuylkill Haven campus, a public hearing
was convened by local elected officials, law
enforcers and drug and alcohol program
directors to discuss the growing heroin
epidemic in Schuylkill County. Speaker after
speaker voiced concern about how to stop the
problem, which is impacting the quality of
life in the community. Gary Tennis, Secretary
of Pennsylvania’s Department of Drug and
Alcohol Programs set the tone, stating that
the latest overdose epidemic is the most severe
he’s ever seen. He noted, “the area of longterm residential treatment is severely
underfunded. We need to focus on it if we
want to bring down crime.” Gaudenzia’s
Mike Harle testified at the hearing, pointing
out this is the fourth heroin epidemic he’s
seen since 1972. He illustrated that a bag of
heroin is cheaper to buy today than a pack of
cigarettes. Other speakers weighed in on the
establishment of a drug court in the county,
and on legislation intended to create a
database for addictive medications and
tracking prescriptions.
“Long-term residential treatment is severely underfunded.
We need to focus on it if we want to bring down crime.”
Gary Tennis, Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department
of Drug and Alcohol Programs
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Chesapeake
Region
Graduation
On October 11, at the Baltimore Convention Center, 218 individuals
were graduated in the presence of family members, alumni, staff and friends
at the Chesapeake Region Graduation. Addressing the audience were
Steven D. Wyman, Maryland District Court Judge and Warren A. Brown,
Attorney, noting the positive impact of Gaudenzia’s work in Maryland.
Warren A. Brown, Esq.
Diane Tanner, Court Liaison; Warren A. Brown; Judge Steven D. Wyman; Andrea Person,
Division Director; Craig Lippens, Division Director; Bruce White, Court Liaison
Judge Steven D. Wyman
Delaware Networking Station
On September 23, at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in
Wilmington, over 600 people attended the Delaware State Chamber
of Commerce annual networking event. Among the dozens of
exhibitors were Gaudenzia alumni and staff, who answered questions
and handed out information about treatment and recovery services
offered by Gaudenzia in Delaware.
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events
OPEN HOUSE
On October 15, an Open House was held at Chambers Hill
Adolescent Program in Harrisburg to acquaint referral and funding
sources with residential treatment services available at Gaudenzia
for 13 – 17 year old male teens.
Jamie Fabian,
Counselor, serves
the ceremonial
cake.
On October 22, at Berwick Outpatient,
an Open House was held to promote
treatment and recovery services in rural
Pennsylvania.
Attending the Berwick Outpatient Open House
were David Kovach, Columbia County
Commissioner and Kara Seesholtz, Senior
Program Officer for the Central Susquehanna
Community Foundation.
United Way
Day of Caring
in Lancaster
On September 5, volunteers from Cargill
performed light gardening work on the lawn
behind Gaudenzia Vantage. They also spread
mulch in the Tom Bamford Memorial garden,
adjacent to Elsie Shenk Outpatient Center.
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in
Appreciation
On November 1, at Purcell Friendship Hall at Milton Hershey School,
Harrisburg area donors, event sponsors and volunteers enjoyed a cookout
activity and live music. Community Affairs Council leaders thanked the
attendees for their valued support of events, outreach activities, advocacy
efforts and more, held throughout the year.
Ruby Holmes, Stephanie
Holmes, Cindy Heath and
Bob Heath.
MVP
of the
Match
Nikki Fish; Betty Bryan Fish,
ABC 27; Jim Ross and
Sheila Ross, Board member.
Standing are: Brad Gebhart and Cheryl Walker Davis. Seated are:
Pam Gebhart, Alexis Hoover, Mike Jones and Chy Stewart.
On October 18, at PPL Stadium in
Chester Gaudenzia was recognized by
the Philadelphia Union soccer team as
MVP Of The Match, drawing attention
to Gaudenzia’s mission and life-saving
work. At their final home game of the
2014 season, a presentation was made
to Mike Harle by team officials.
John Bowman; Lynanne Schaeffer, Community Affairs Manager;
Dan Greene, Philadelphia Union; Mike Harle; Mike Rody.
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Race for Recovery
On September 28, at Presque Isle in Erie, 239
people took part in the 17th Annual Race For
Recovery in Erie. It didn’t matter whether
participants ran, jogged or walked – it was all
about Recovery! Races had both competitive and
non-competitive components and included One
Mile, 5K and 15K races. New this year was the
Kids Corner, which offered face painting, snacks
and a coloring contest. Race For Recovery was
featured on local television news; organizers and
participants offered personal impressions about
the importance of treatment and recovery
services in the community. Proceeds benefited
The Patient Fund of Gaudenzia Erie, helping to
defray costs of treatment for deserving
individuals.
Recovery Walks!
On September 20, at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia,
Gaudenzia clients and alumni participated in the annual
celebration of Recovery Month. Organizers estimated
that over 23,000 people marched together through the
streets of the city.
Palio Bike Ride
And Community Picnic
Eric Decker and
George Weller, Clinical Supervisor,
Sunbury Outpatient Program
participated in the bike ride.
On September 20, a 100 mile bicycle ride, aimed
at drawing attention to Gaudenzia’s outpatient and
recovery services in rural Pennsylvania, began in
Sunbury and ended at Barefield Park in Pottsville.
A festive BBQ, picnic and games awaited the
participants. The activity was organized by volunteers
and staff in Schuylkill and Northumberland counties.
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Participant Charles Dale.
Philadelphia International
Dragon Boat Race
On October 4, on the Schuylkill River in Fairmount
Park in Philadelphia, our 21 member crew of
Gaudenzia Gladiators competed alongside 160 other
boat crews. The event was the largest Dragon Boat
festival held in North America in 2014. Despite poor
weather conditions, team spirit continued to build
steadily throughout the day, drawing positive
impressions about Gaudenzia and its mission.
Spotlight
GRADUATE
Patricia M.
Patricia M. walked in the doors of Gaudenzia on Dec. 29th 2009 with nothing
but a desire to stop using drugs. She stayed in detox for 7 days and rolled over
to the ICF 28 day program. It was rough for her in the beginning. Once she
made the decision to play an active part in her recovery, the process began.
Now celebrating 5 years clean, Patricia has a full time job in the medical
department at Gaudenzia. Her son and family are a part of her life once more.
For the first time, she has a place she can call her own. In her words Patricia
said, “Gaudenzia has done so much for me, that's why I continue to show up
no matter what. Thank you Gaudenzia family, thanks for helping me get
my life back again.”
Patricia also serves as president of her region’s alumni association. Gaudenzia’s
alumni associations are made up of clients who have successfully completed
treatment and the graduation process. They provide a network for people to
meet others in recovery and remain in touch with the organization, as well as
support, inspiration and guidance for current individuals in treatment.
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Agency-Wide
Executive Staff Appointments
John DiLeonardo, Esq. is Director
of Compliance and Governance
and performs in-house legal services
for Gaudenzia. He holds a Bachelor
of Arts in Political Science from
Washington & Jefferson College
(1976) and a Juris Doctor from the University of
Dayton School of Law (1979), where he was elected
to the Order of Barristers for superior achievement in
courtroom advocacy. He has extensive background in
health care law. He has prosecuted and tried healthcare
related and other cases in the Pennsylvania courts as
well as in Federal courts in Pennsylvania and Florida.
His work experience includes serving as Pennsylvania
Chief Deputy Attorney General for Medicaid/
Healthcare prosecutions; as Prosecuting Attorney for
the State Board of Medicine in Pennsylvania; working
with Social Security Disability; and in private practice
where he represented clients in civil and criminal
litigation matters.
Greg Warren is Director of
Gaudenzia’s Chesapeake Region.
He is an experienced leader in
behavioral health care with over
20 years in the field. He has been
recognized by SAMHSA as an
Einstein expert in criminal justice,
medication assisted treatment and health information
technology. From 2009 to 2013 he served as the
President & CEO of Baltimore Substance Abuse
Systems, Inc. leading Baltimore’s publicly funded
treatment system. He was also Director of Substance
Abuse Treatment Services for Maryland’s Public
Safety and Correctional Services. A strong advocate,
he has educated and testified before Congress, state
and city governments. He holds a Master’s Degree in
Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University
and an Executive MBA from Loyola College.
Mr. Warren serves on various boards, including
two as Baltimore Mayoral appointees.
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e
Warmest
wishes
to you and your family
from Gaudenzia. May this
New Year bring you peace
and happiness.
In Loving Memory
Monsignor William B. O’Brien
With great sorrow, Gaudenzia notes the passing of
Monsignor William B. O’Brien, a co-founder of Daytop
Village. He was inspired by Synanon, a therapeutic
modality of treatment for individuals affected by drug and
alcohol use. At the invitation of public health officials, he
helped set up programs similar to Daytop in 66 countries
and was one of the founders of the World Federation of
Therapeutic Communities by the time he retired in 2010.
He testified frequently at state capitals and in Washington,
DC. He briefed Pope John Paul II about the perils of
untreated drug and alcohol abuse. He was featured on
numerous broadcast news shows. In 1993, he published a
book, “You Can’t Do It Alone: The Daytop Way to Make
Your Child Drug Free.”
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GAUDENZIA, Inc.
Corporate Offices
106 W. Main Street
Norristown, PA 19401
www.gaudenzia.org
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The Gaudenzia Gazette
is published by the
Community Affairs Department
of Gaudenzia, Inc.
Panelists included:
Moderator Maiken Scott, WHYY
Behavioral Health reporter;
Gary Tennis, Secretary, PA Department
of Drug and Alcohol Programs;
Gene DiGirolamo, PA State
Representative; Nikki G., Gaudenzia
Graduate; Mike Harle, Gaudenzia
President and CEO; James S.,
Gaudenzia Graduate.
Michael B. Harle, M.H.S.
President and CEO
Richard Z. Freemann, Jr., Esq.
Chair, Gaudenzia Inc.
Maureen Q. Dwyer
Chair, Gaudenzia Foundation
Gadi Aronson
Director of Development
Public Forum at WHYY
Sarah Burrows
Dan Gugliuzza
Julie Girsch
Carole Lee
Lynanne Schaeffer
Contributors
Please forward address changes to:
Gaudenzia Gazette
106 W. Main Street,
Norristown, PA 19401
[email protected]
Production costs of this issue have been
paid by the employees of Gaudenzia
through the 2014 Staff Appeal.
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GAUDENZIA GAZETTE
On November 17, Gaudenzia presented a public forum
at WHYY studios in Philadelphia, raising awareness
about the horrific heroin epidemic that is raging in the
community. Panel members provided expert testimony
and responded to questions. In attendance were
college students, medical, legal and behavioral health
professionals, as well as individuals in recovery and parents
of people who are struggling with heroin use. Information
was on hand instructing where to turn for help, as well as
drug and alcohol treatment.
DECEMBER 2014
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