Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services and local support groups continue to offer care during COVID-19 pandemic

HARRISBURG, PA (March 24, 2020) – To limit the spread of COVID-19, agencies and support groups focused on drug and alcohol recovery are continuing to offer services through virtual meetings.

“For individuals who need an assessment or treatment, those vital services will continue,” said Dauphin County Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III, who oversees the county’s Drug and Alcohol Services Department. “We’re quickly adapting to the changes caused by this pandemic and ensuring that everyone who needs help receives it.”

Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services continues to take calls for information, referral and treatment at 717-635-2254. Calls are answered 24/7 and transferred to an employee who is trained to help.

“As public servants, our job is to make sure the essential services provided by county government continue,” said Dauphin County Board Chairman Jeff Haste. “Although we closed facilities to the public and modified operations in response to COVID-19, residents can still get the assistance they need by calling.”

Online Resources

Narcotics Anonymous PA has a FB page for those that have social media. Each group updates the page if their home group is open or closed. The help number for NA is 717-233-3733.

If a client does not feel comfortable leaving their house or is unable too for whatever reason, then they have the option to search the Virtual Meetings.

Online NA meetings is: https://virtual-na.org  These meetings are also available via telephone as well.

Online AA meetings, the individual will need to become a member after going to the link.

http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php 

Online SMART meetings can be accessed at: https://www.smartrecovery.org/community/

Online Refuge Recovery Meetings can be accessed at: https://refugerecovery.org/meetings?tsml-day=any&tsml-region=online-english

Some online meetings may use Zoom. If that is the case, individuals will need to download zoom by either their smart phone or computer. To keep individual anonymity, individuals can put their last initial when they sign up for a zoom account. If anyone has any questions, they can call Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol at 717 635-2254.

“We deeply appreciate the resourcefulness and dedication of our staff and community groups to maintain services,” said Dauphin County Commissioner Mike Pries. “We have so many caring, competent people who are committed to helping others.”