Pa. addiction hotline surpasses 15,000 calls
(Harrisburg) — More than 15,500 people have called Pennsylvania’s addiction hotline since it launched last November.
The Department of Drug and Alcohol Program’s helpline has been receiving an average of 42 calls every day since November 10th. About half resulted in a direct connection to treatment.
The helpline is staffed with certified recovery specialists 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
People seeking information can call or text the number 1-800-662-HELP or use an online chat feature at ddap.pa.gov.
Acting Secretary Jennifer Smith some people — especially in the younger generation — prefer the distance the text and online options give them.
“And so the opportunity there exists to connect on a less personal level with the option of then becoming more personal and hopefully, if they need treatment, getting them into the appropriate level of care,” Smith said.
Most callers who report their age fall between 25 and 40.
In the midstate, York and Lancaster counties had the highest volumes of callers, with 230 and 265 respectively.
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