Substance abuse is a very serious issue throughout the United States, and BCHIP and its partners are committed to combatting it in Bucks County through enhanced health services, recovery services, and prevention education.
BCDAC: The mission of the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission (BCDAC) is to eliminate the use of illegal drugs, reduce the use of tobacco, and end the abuse of, misuse of, and addiction to alcohol and other drugs throughout Bucks County. To fulfill its mission, BCDAC is a close partner in many of the prevention, treatment, and recovery services offered in Bucks County to help people break free of substance abuse and prevent further abuse.
Take Back Days: BCDAC partners with hospitals, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers to offer several days each year for the safe collection and disposal of pharmaceuticals and sharps in order to keep them out of circulation and out of the hands of potential abusers. A number of medical collection boxes are situated throughout Bucks County where you can safely dispose of unused medications year-round.
Narcan: BCDAC supplies Narcan to first responders, schools, and community members as a first line of defense for a suspected opioid overdose. If you have a loved one with a history of substance abuse, having Narcan available may save your loved one’s life. BCDAC also provides community Narcan use training sessions.
BCARES: BCARES stands for “Bucks County Connect. Assess. Refer. Engage. Support.” BCARES collaborates with the six Bucks County hospitals to provide a warm handoff to a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) for individuals who have survived an opioid overdose. The hospitals coordinate with the CRS and other service organizations to provide survivors and their families with recovery support, education, resources, and a direct connection from the emergency department to treatment. It is available 24/7 in the hospitals.
NAMI: NAMI was started in Bucks County in 1983 by a mother who felt she did not get the support she needed when her son was diagnosed with a mental health disorder. The program quickly spread throughout the country and is now a national organization, supporting all forms of mental health issues, including those associated with addiction. NAMI Bucks offers a variety of services to families, individuals, the community, and local mental health providers, including a hotline for those in distress, support groups for specific needs, youth programs, and education programs.
Education programs: Many hospitals and healthcare services provide education to the community to help prevent substance abuse, whether it be drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. This includes educating pregnant women on the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse for their babies; the Vaping Prevention Campaign to educate adults and children about the dangers of vaping; the BCHIP Wellness Partnership that collaborates with Bucks County hospitals to provide health education, promotion, and screening activities; BCDAC’s in-prison programs to help incarcerated people to break the cycle of substance abuse, which is a problem for many imprisoned individuals.
Hotlines for help
Local, regional, and national hotlines are available for substance abuse and mental health crises.
For urgent, crisis situations for mental health or overdose:
- Call Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 any time, 24/7
- Call Bucks County Crisis Center at Lenape Valley Foundation: 1-800-499-7455 any time, 24/7 – includes dispatching crisis teams or medical assistance
- Text NAMI to 741741 any time, 24/7
- Call NAMI Bucks County Helpline: 1-866-399-NAMI (6264) from 10am-10pm
If you are not in crisis but need help:
- Call PA Get Help NOW Hotline: 1-800-662-4357 (1-800-662-HELP), available 24/7 – offers services for those struggling with addiction and related issues and their families.
- Call the NAMI warm-line, 215-343-3055 from 3pm-10pm, to speak to a trained professional who offers a listening ear and helps callers feel empowered to make necessary changes. Resources are offered if the caller requests help.
- Find help for any needs through PA-navigate.org. This includes food, housing, medical care, transportation, legal help, job search, and more.
No one in Bucks County should ever feel alone or without the help they need. This is the shared goal of BCHIP, BCDAC, NAMI, and every hospital and medical care provider in our county. Please reach out to any of us for resources so that you get the help that you need.
