Act 63, the PA Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act, requires the Department of Health to develop a State Plan for the control, prevention, intervention, treatment, rehabilitation, research, education and training aspects of drug and alcohol abuse and dependence programs. The role of each SCA includes an obligation to ensure, to the best of its ability, and within recognized funding limitations, local access to the full continuum of drug and alcohol services. The system of SCAs was established in the Department's State Plan.
Untreated addiction leads to the destruction of the individual, the family, and the community.
If addiction is treated early and effectively, individuals can return to being productive members of their community. An organized means by which those SCAs may communicate with the Commonwealth agencies, including the Department of Health, the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs, and the Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, around the issues of policy, planning, coordination, program development, and other relevant issues. A forum for the free exchange of information among the various public and private drug and alcohol agencies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the purpose of maintaining and improving the quality of services. The Association encourages collaboration with other organizations in the health and human services field to accomplish this purpose. Retention of the local administration of chemical dependency systems for the prevention, intervention, and treatment of substance abuse.