HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Senate is looking at measures to address the increasing rates of substance use disorders among older adults.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), chair of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, introduced the Preventing and Treating Substance Use Disorders Among Older Adults Act. This law would provide the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) with the resources it needs to improve treatment and prevention services for older adults.

Casey sent a letter to SAMHSA urging the agency to improve data collection on older adults with substance use disorders to facilitate better treatment and prevention.

The bill seeks to establish a grant program at SAMHSA to help in areas of high need. 

These actions come in response to the growing crisis of older adults facing substance use disorder issues, as highlighted in a December Aging Committee hearing. The measures aim to address the gaps in coverage and access to treatment and recovery for older adults with substance use disorder.