Dr. Latika Davis-Jones

Dr. Latika D. Davis-Jones, Ph.D., MPH, MSW currently serves as the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), appointed to the position by Governor Josh Shapiro in January 2023. With over 30 years dedicated to addressing the physical and behavioral health needs of vulnerable populations, she brings extensive experience to her role. In her current role she is responsible for the administration of control, prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery supports, rehabilitation, research, education, and training activities within the department as well as across state agencies. Her department serves a critical role in coordinating efforts at the federal, state, and local levels. In addition to programmatic efforts geared toward substance use, DDAP also implements programs to address compulsive and problem gambling.

Prior to working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, she provided leadership and administrative oversight of Highmark Wholecare’s behavioral health program and oversaw program development including the development of operations within new markets/business initiatives and the implementation and evaluation of utilization management, case management, and disease/condition management programs impacting the health of members. She also served at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services (Office of Behavioral Health), leading drug and alcohol efforts pertaining to prevention, treatment, and recovery supports for Allegheny County residents.

Dr. Davis-Jones’ academic contributions includes academic advising, teaching, and research at the University of Pittsburgh- School of Social Work. Her dissertation, Psychological Dysfunction, Drug Treatment Engagement, and HIV Risk Behavior among Methadone Maintained Clients highlighted her research interest in the intersection of mental health, treatment engagement, and HIV risk. While at University of Pittsburgh, she collaborated on projects such as, Measuring Race and Ethnicity: Inside and Out with the late Dr. Larry Davis and co-led the Strengthening Pittsburgh’s African American Nonprofits (SPAAN) Project with Dr. John Wallace. Her research also explored heterosexual HIV risk behaviors among girls involved in juvenile justice, and she played a key role in a groundbreaking photo voice project empowering older African American methadone clients to engage policymakers and reflect on their health needs. Additionally, she was involved with research that examined the impact of spirituality on drug and alcohol treatment outcomes and most recently served on the Center for Interventions to Enhance Community Health (CiTECH) Advisory Board, bridging research and community behavioral health services.

In addition to her research at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Davis-Jones has co-authored reports and journal articles on substance use disorder and the opioid epidemic in Allegheny County. She has provided public testimony before the Pennsylvania House and Senate Policy Committees on the opioid epidemic and has also presented at national and local conferences and previously contributed to national and state initiatives such as the U.S. Attorney’s Working Group on Drug Overdose and Addiction.

Dr. Davis-Jones actively serves on community and advisory boards, including Global Links and The Advance Leadership Institute (TALI). Her numerous awards include the Onyx Woman Network Leadership Award, Social Worker of Greatness (SWAG) Award, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Martin Luther King Jr. Impact Award, and the Three Rivers Youth Nellie Leadership Award, among others.

Dr. Davis-Jones earned her undergraduate degree from Central State University and her MSW, MPH, and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. Beyond her professional commitments, she is passionate about promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. She is also a devoted wife, mother of two, and proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.