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This article is shared with LebTown by content partner Spotlight PA.

By Spotlight PA Staff

Thousands of Pennsylvanians are dealing with alcohol or drug addiction, and they often turn to licensed treatment facilities for help.

But a recent Spotlight PA/KHN investigation found the Pennsylvania department tasked with oversight of these providers allowed some to continue operating despite harm to patients. The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs lacks resources and regulatory power and uses a flawed oversight system that does little to ensure effective care, the investigation revealed.

At the same time, the department is struggling to implement regulations to oversee unlicensed recovery houses where people with addiction stay. In some cases, operators have exploited residents, providing few rules and little support, and putting people at greater risk of using drugs.

On Thursday, Sept. 9 at noon join Spotlight PA’s Ed Mahon and KHN correspondent Aneri Pattani for a free panel on how Pennsylvania can keep people with addiction safe as they pursue recovery. Other panelists will be announced.

RSVP for free here. Submit your questions in advance to events@spotlightpa.org

» Spotlight PA’s events operate on a “pay-what-you-can” honor system. If you value this public-service event, pay it forward and contribute any amount to Spotlight PA now so we can keep our programming free for everyone: spotlightpa.org/donate.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE… If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.

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