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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 10-15-19 Item 8-g - Support for Orange County Opioid Task Force 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 15, 2019 Action Agenda Item No. 8-g SUBJECT: Support for Orange County Opioid Task Force DEPARTMENT: Health ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Orange County Health Department - UNC Medical Center County Opioid Quintana Stewart, 919-245-2412 Task Force PURPOSE: To approve expressing support for an Opioid Task Force to coordinate efforts to address opioid overdose in Orange County and will be facilitated jointly by the Orange County Health Department and the UNC Medical Center. BACKGROUND: In April 2018 a planning group with representatives from several County Departments and community partners hosted "Bringing it Home — A County Conversation on the Opioid Epidemic." This half day meeting created a space for an in depth discussion about Opioid use across the State and locally in Orange County. Presentations were given from NC Department of Health & Human Services, NC Emergency Services and the NC Justice Department. Attendees also heard about opioid response efforts from Orange County Sherriff's Office, Emergency Medical Services, Health Department, Department of Social Services, Justice System and a local treatment facility, Freedom House. Roughly a year later, many of the original planning team members would like to continue to work on the local opioid crisis response. The Health Department and UNC Medical Center would like to partner to further coordinate efforts to address opioid use disorder (OUD) and substance use disorder (SUD) in Orange County. The task force has identified three (3) priority areas to initially address: 1) Education; 2) Reduce oversupply of prescription opioids; and 3) Expand treatment and recovery oriented systems of care. These priorities align with the NC Opioid State Action Plan. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this item: • FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. 2 • CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility goal impact associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve expressing support for the partnership between the Orange County Health Department and UNC Medical Center and the efforts of the Orange County Opioid Task Force. 3 Orange County Opioid Task Force Decades of prescribing more opioids at higher doses have led to a rising number of opioid overdose deaths creating a public health crisis in North Carolina to include Orange County. UNC Medical Center and the Orange County Health Department would like to partner to further coordinate efforts to address this epidemic in our community.At this time, we envision a 3-5 year commitment to work with stakeholders in the opioid use disorder(OUD) and substance use disorder(SUD) community in Orange County.This proposed partnership will build a more resilient infrastructure equipped to assess community needs to current and potentially the next wave of the opioid epidemic. The NC Opioid State Action Plan will serve as the foundation for the work.We have identified 3 priorities to initially address: 1. Education; 2. Reduce oversupply of prescription opioids; and 3. Expand treatment and recovery oriented systems of care. These priorities align with the State Opioid Action Plan. Please see below for a more detailed description about each priority area. Education Education gaps exist in most all spaces from medical prescribers,to medication consumers,to the lay public. Robust effort to educate the larger community on safe prescribing, storage, disposal, overdose response, and treatment is imperative. Focus on obstacles to health (poverty, housing, discrimination, education, etc)for people with substance use disorders. Eliminate the stigma associated with substance use disorder. Everyone deserves a fair and just opportunity to be healthier.A big part to successful recovery is support and compassion. Patients in pain and those with a substance use disorder need treatment, not judgment.This partnership will collate and disseminate the appropriate education to the respective groups in the community. Reduce oversupply of prescription opioids Partner with local medical and dental practices to reduce current dosage prescribing and the use of alternatives to opioids. Use established evidence-based protocols and leverage existing best practices in the community. Expand treatment and recovery oriented systems of care Currently, minimal treatment options exist in Orange County.This partnership will leverage existing programs and partner with new organizations to grow the treatment options in Orange County. The success of this partnership is dependent upon community engagement. We plan to build and sustain a local task force to convene stakeholders and coordinate activities.We will ensure representation from local government, local health department, health care providers(i.e. substance use treatment providers), hospital, law enforcement,first responders, court system,youth-serving organizations, higher education, and individuals affected by the opioid crisis. Our community has initiated several activities to respond to opioid abuse,to include but not limited to, Medication Drop Boxes, naloxone for law enforcement, implementation of the COORE program, distribution of safe syringe packages and the new Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program in the jail. However,we have more to do. To accomplish this important task, we request united support from local leaders and financial support for sustainability of activities. We anticipate using existing staff to lead this work(approximately 20 hours a week)with the support of UNCMC and OCHD leadership.