HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), in collaboration with Penn State Harrisburg’s Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research, Shatterproof, and The Public Good Projects (PGP), recently released findings from the fourth year of the Life Unites Us campaign. This research-driven initiative aims to reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorder (SUD) across the Commonwealth.
Launched in September 2020, Life Unites Us combines social media storytelling with community outreach to foster greater understanding and support for those impacted by SUD. The campaign highlights personal accounts from individuals in recovery, their families, and advocates while providing webinars and partnering with local organizations to promote stigma reduction and recovery-focused resources.
“The hard truth is that stigma still stops people from reaching out and getting treatment, and that must change,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “It is encouraging to see that as a result of Life Unites Us, attitudes are improving toward issues like medications for opioid use disorder, SUD treatment, and harm reduction. We’re making progress with each year of the campaign.”
Over the past year, the campaign has generated more than nine million impressions, reaching nearly two million Pennsylvanians. It engaged more than 360 individuals in sharing their stories and collaborated with over 200 community organizations, hosting six webinars and implementing innovative approaches to reducing SUD stigma.
Survey results conducted during the campaign’s fourth year revealed several significant trends. Nearly 75% of participants who viewed the campaign agreed that the opioid epidemic is a serious problem, compared to 61% who did not view the campaign. Additionally, 85% of viewers expressed a willingness to provide naloxone to someone in need, versus 78% among non-viewers.
Dr. Weston Kensinger, Director of the Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research, emphasized the campaign’s success. “Results from our statewide surveys show that the campaign is effectively reducing stigma and fostering a supportive environment for those seeking treatment and recovery. Thanks in part to the success of the Life Unites Us campaign, Pennsylvania has become a national leader in reducing SUD stigma.”
Dr. Joe Smyser, Chief Executive Officer of PGP, noted the campaign’s broader implications. “Addiction is endemic in our country, and there are a lot of things driving it that are beyond people’s control. What we can control is how we show up. And Pennsylvanians are showing how to do that best.”
Ashley Narvaez, Shatterproof Program Manager, lauded the grassroots impact. “Through community listening, we’ve gained insights that have shaped our approach… empowering grassroots organizations to implement innovative projects that address stigma and support those impacted by substance use disorders.”
Looking ahead, Life Unites Us plans to expand its messaging to include harm reduction strategies, such as the use of fentanyl and xylazine test strips. Funded through federal grants, the campaign remains a vital component of Pennsylvania’s efforts to dismantle the stigma surrounding SUD and foster community-driven solutions.
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