(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Kate Lowery is the Single County Authority Administrator for Beaver County Behavioral Health, and she joined Matt Drzik on the May 4 edition of A.M. Beaver County to discuss the work that BCBH does for those struggling with drug and substance abuse.

“In each of the 67 counties across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there’s a single county authority program which is the recipient of federal and state block grant funding,” Lowery said. “We’re tasked with the responsibility of setting up a full continuum of care for persons with substance abuse disorders.” Lowery said that her job is to connect many different outlets and services to help those with those disorders, which consists of 600 citizens per year in Beaver County.

One of the newer initiatives with BCBH is the Magisterial Diversion Program, initially started in Beaver Falls. The initiative allows those with minor or first-time drug offenses–those who BCBH deem to be dealing with a substance abuse issue–to enter a “very rigorous” rehabilitation program to help combat the issue. “If they’re demonstrating that they’re substance-free, and they’re moving toward the goals of their treatment program at the finale of 150 days,” Lowery added, “the magistrate would waive those charges and the person would graduate from the program.”

“I think the community of Beaver Falls has a lot to be very proud of,” Lowery exclaimed in regards to the Diversion Program, which she mentioned has similar models in Aliquippa, Hopewell Township, and New Sewickley Township.

For more information, you can contact the BCBH administrative hotline at 724-847-6225 or call 724-847-6620 for direct behavioral health evaluations. They can also be found at the Behavioral Health or System of Care websites.

To watch the full interview with Kate Lowery, click on the Facebook feed below!