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Greensburg, PA<\/strong> – Today, Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) Secretary Jen Smith visited Recovery Community Organization and DDAP grantee, Sage\u2019s Army, to highlight their recovery community support services for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD).<\/p>\n \u201cThe disease of addiction is isolating, and it is absolutely vital for individuals in recovery \u2014 especially those in early recovery \u2014 to find a community of support to help them through the difficult days,\u201d said DDAP Secretary Jen Smith. \u201cThrough this funding, Sage\u2019s Army has provided valuable connections and resources to individuals at a time when they needed them the most.\u201d<\/p>\n Sage\u2019s Army, which serves Westmoreland, Allegheny, Fayette, and Indiana counties, \u200bwas awarded $700,000 in funding from DDAP to provide recovery community support services to individuals in recovery from SUD. These services include delivery of recovery coaching through Certified Recovery Specialists, telephonic supports, education and employment supports, engagement in GED services, life-skills support groups, and delivery of substance-free social activities.<\/p>\n “Sage’s Army exists to ensure that all people, regardless of their drug use status, have access to the support and resources they need and deserve,\u201d said Adam Beers, Sage\u2019s Army Director of Operations. \u201cWe believe that by providing safe spaces for people who use drugs and their family members and loved ones, we can help to improve the health and wellness of our communities while helping to keep people safe and alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Using this funding, Sage\u2019s Army has been able to expand services, reaching more than 1,200 people every month through recovery coaching, HelpLine, support groups and meetings, sober activities, and outreach events.<\/p>\n The nonprofit Sage\u2019s Army, Inc. was founded in 2012 by Carmen Capozzi, after losing his son to an accidental drug overdose. Sage\u2019s Army is committed to providing a safe and inclusive community-based recovery community organization that supports individuals and families through recovery support services, support groups and meetings, advocacy efforts, and education.<\/p>\n The grant is part of $55 million in federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funding awarded to Pennsylvania through its Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program COVID-19 Supplemental Awards. With that SAMHSA funding, DDAP awarded more than $2.7 million<\/a> to four organizations across Pennsylvania to provide recovery community support services to individuals in living with or in recovery from SUD.<\/p>\n Across these four organizations in the first six months of grant funding:<\/p>\n \u00b7 92% of participants reported a reduction in substance use;<\/p>\n \u00b7 100% of participants reported an increase in feelings of social connectedness;<\/p>\n \u00b7 99% of participants reported no contacts with the criminal justice system while engaged in this program; and<\/p>\n \u00b7 62% of participants accessed SUD treatment or mental health treatment while engaged in this program.<\/p>\n For more information about the work the Wolf Administration is doing to combat the opioid crisis, visit pa.gov\/opioids.<\/p>\n