First things first. How we treat others says a lot about a us as people or organizations. Are our systems inclusive or persons in recovery at all levels of system design and implementation? How are we treated by these systems that govern care? As valued partners, window dressing or simply marginalized? We will not make … Continue reading The Golden Rule of SUD Treatment and Recovery Services
Author: billstaufferpa
William Stauffer has been the Executive Director of Pennsylvania Recovery Organization Alliance (PRO-A), the statewide recovery organization of Pennsylvania. He is in long-term recovery since age 21 and has been actively engaged in public policy in the recovery arena for most of those years. He is also an adjunct professor of Social Work at Misericordia University in Dallas Pennsylvania. He holds a Bachelors in Social work degree from Cedar Crest College and a Masters Degree from Kutztown University.
William Stauffer has initiated numerous workforce expansion initiatives for persons in recovery. A major focus of his work has been aimed at moving our entire SUD care system towards a five-year care paradigm to dramatically expand the numbers of Americans in Recovery while saving lives, resources, and communities. Mr. Stauffer has been a staunch advocate for strong SUD Patient Privacy Protections at both the state and federal levels for many years. He ran a recovery house taskforce for the Pennsylvania that helped inform PA Act 59 of 2017. In 2018, he testified in front of the US Senate Special Committee on Aging on the opioid epidemic and older adults, and in 2019, he conducted a hearing with the PA House Human Services Committee to expand recovery opportunities for young people.
He is co-chair of the public policy committee for Faces & Voices of Recovery and the 2019 recipient of the Vernon Johnson Award Individual Recovery Advocate of the year. Mr. Stauffer was also the 2002 Recipient of the Lecie G. Machell prize in Social Work and, prior to taking the position of executive director of PRO-A , received Pennsylvania Recovery Organization Alliances award of the Recovery Advocate of the year, in 2008.
Discounting the Voices of Recovery
I have never failed to underestimate the depth of discrimination that surround addiction and those of us in recovery from addiction. It shows up in punitive policies, disparate funding, excessive barriers to care and the consistent discounting of our voices in policy matters that impact us. It is the last point I am writing about … Continue reading Discounting the Voices of Recovery
I am a card-carrying member of the nonpartisan “Recovery Party”
This is a political post; I hope readers give me a chance and hear me out. As I have said before, I am a student of history, and have spent some time learning about the history of addiction and recovery in America. History can teach us important and relevant lessons. Over the last sixty years … Continue reading I am a card-carrying member of the nonpartisan “Recovery Party”
PEOPLE IN the recovery community ARE THE EXPERTS on recovery community
"Strengthening recovery community is a critical element in the revival of American community. Recovering people become engaged citizens which benefits all society. As Bill White, Pat Taylor and Carol McDaid note in there 2010 paper Recovery and Citizenship, we become involved in volunteerism, with our own families and reconnect with meaningful activities as citizens. Citizenship is central to the recovery identity."
Investing in Community Recovery Capital – it is beyond time to do the right thing
There is a famous quote - “Americans Will Always Do the Right Thing — After Exhausting All the Alternatives” often credited to Winston Churchill. I have been thinking about the quote as it relates to the narrative around deaths of despair and the erosion of social connections, hope and purpose. These deaths are often … Continue reading Investing in Community Recovery Capital – it is beyond time to do the right thing
Walking the talk of recovery advocacy
Thinking about what it means to advocate publicly for recovery. To me, this means showing that recovery is not only possible for persons with substance use conditions, but that given the proper care and support, recovery is the probable outcome for persons with a substance use disorder. As a person in long term recovery, I … Continue reading Walking the talk of recovery advocacy
Marketing Marijuana to Children: Meet Stinky Steve, the Joe Camel of Cannabis
We need to be really careful as medical marijuana and legalization of cannabis becomes more prevalent. We must protect our children from marketing efforts that encourage them to use drugs, including cannabis. Before I start, I want to emphasize that I do not believe that cannabis is a demon drug and will readily acknowledge that … Continue reading Marketing Marijuana to Children: Meet Stinky Steve, the Joe Camel of Cannabis
We are the Cavalry that the next generation is waiting for
I want to call readers attention to a post on this site that really resonated with me. My colleague, Mr. Austin Brown, posted “Back to Basics 2” on January 20, 2020. If you have not read it, I encourage you to do so. He hits some very important points, you can find his post here. … Continue reading We are the Cavalry that the next generation is waiting for
SOR & STR Funding – A high-speed entrance ramp to a one lane road with an uncertain destination
It is common knowledge that are substance use care system infrastructure is in disrepair. This is particularly true on the public funded side, were funding, including our federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant has historically been dwarfed by the magnitude of the service need. It has lost even more ground in recent … Continue reading SOR & STR Funding – A high-speed entrance ramp to a one lane road with an uncertain destination
Battling deaths of despair with the contagion of hope – priming a discussion on expanding recovery at the level of community
As many readers may know, decreasing life expediencies in the United States has been associated with what are being termed deaths of despair. That life expectancy in the United States is decreasing has significant implications for our society. As noted by NBC News, “the last three years represent the longest consecutive decline in the American … Continue reading Battling deaths of despair with the contagion of hope – priming a discussion on expanding recovery at the level of community
