In 1972, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania established a Single State Agency (Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs)and a system of Single County Authorities (SCAs) to implement alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention, intervention, and treatment services through county based planning and management. Act 63, the PA Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act, requires the Department of Health to develop a State Plan  for the control, prevention, intervention, treatment, rehabilitation, research, education and training aspects of drug and alcohol abuse and dependence programs.

The role of each SCA includes an obligation to ensure, to the best of its ability, and within recognized funding limitations, local access to the full continuum of drug and alcohol services. The system of SCAs was established in the Department's State Plan.

PACDAA considers addiction a primary disease which, left untreated results in incarceration, emotional and mental problems, and/or death. Untreated addiction leads to the destruction of the individual, the family and the community. If addiction is treated early and effectively, individuals can return to being productive members of their community.