Prioritizing the education and empowerment of teenagers to make safe and healthy decisions is paramount. The Safety First curriculum, endorsed by Stanford Medicine’s REACH lab and the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), integrates scientific accuracy, compassion, and harm reduction to educate and empower teens. Designed for high school students, Safety First offers a comprehensive approach, covering a broad spectrum of substances including alcohol, opioids, psychedelics, and more. It aims not only to prevent drug use but also to convey harm-reduction principles to those who may already be experimenting. The curriculum ensures scientific accuracy, providing factual information about drugs, their effects, risks, and potential harms, enabling students to make informed choices. It’s interactive and compassionate, acknowledging the experiences of youth who may have encountered drugs, and offering strategies for safer interactions. Health prioritization is a key focus, discouraging drug use while also teaching harm reduction to minimize risks. The curriculum’s real-life relevance makes it a valuable resource for students who use drugs, those at risk, and communities affected by drug exposure, giving them the tools to safeguard themselves and their peers.

The ORC is set to provide orientations on the curriculum to all high schools and offer necessary implementation support.

Implement school year: 2024-2025

Narcan (naloxone) training and access to this medication are critical for addressing opioid use disorders for the following reasons:

1. Life Saving Intervention: Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid overdose. When administered promptly, it can save lives by restoring normal breathing and preventing fatal outcomes. Having NARCAN readily available means that emergency responders, school personel, individuals, familly members, friends, and caregives can take immediate action during an overdose emergency.
2. Community Empowerment: NARCAN training empowers communities to take a proactive role in addressing the opioid crisis. By providing education and tools to administer NARCAN, individuals go beyond being bystanders and become lifesavers. The community-based approach ensures that help is available even before emergency medical services arrive.
3. Reducing Stigma: NARCAN training sessions also aim to dismantle stereotypes and biases surrounding addiction. By encouraging empathy and understanding, participants learn how to approach individuals with opioid use disorders compassionately. This reduction in stigma is essential for fostering a supportive environment and encouraging people to seek help without fear of judgement.
4. Gateway to Treatment: Overdose education and naloxone distribution are strongly recommended by public health agencies. Using naloxone can open the door for treatment and rehabilitation for those struggling with opioid use disorders. By preventing overdose deaths, naloxone provides a crucial opportunity to connect individuals with the necessary resources for recovery. NARCAN training and access play a pivotal role in preventing opioid-related fatalities, empowering communities, and prompting compassionate care for those affected by opioid use disorders. It’s a vital tool in our collective efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

The ORC intends to catalog all existing county resources pertinent to NARCAN accessibility and training, and to showcase both current and new resource availability on their website. The ORC is committed to guaranteeing that First Responders, School Personnel, and Community members have straightforward access to and training in this life-saving intervention, aiming to become an additional resource for NARCAN training.

Implement year: Fall of 2024

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) plays a crucial role in addressing opioid use disorder (OUT) and is essential for both treatment providers and jails.

1. Effectiveness: MAT combines medications with COUNSELING and BEHAVIORAL THERAPIES. It has been proven effective in treating OUD by normalizing brain chemistry, relieving cravings, and mitigating withdrawal symptoms. For patients treated with MAT, more than half reported opioid abstinence 18 months after beginning treatment.
2. Survival and Retention: MAT improves patient survival and increases retention in treatment. By reducing illicit opioid use and criminal activity among individuals with substance use disorders, it contributes to better outcomes.
3. Stigma Reduction: MAT helps break the stigma associated with some OUD medications. Providers can offer three FDA-approved options: buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. Tailoring treatment to individual needs is critical, and MAT allows flexibility in selecting the most suitable option.
4. Long-term Management: OUD is a chronic condition, and MAT provides a long-term management approach. There is no maximum recommended duration for maintenance treatment, and for some patients, treatment may continue indefinitely. MAT is a powerful tool that enhances recovery, reduces harm, and supports individuals in their journey toward overcoming opioid addiction. It’s integration into treatment programs and correctional facilities is essential for combating the opioid crisis effectively.

The ORC has gathered a team of specialists, including Addiction Medicine physicians, clinicians, and program professionals adept at insurance billing and system sustainability. This team will offer consultations, training, and educational support to both current and new providers, aiming to improve opioid use disorder services in rural counties.

Implement year: Fall of 2024

A treatment navigation system where Support Navigators link individuals who have opioid addition to treatment, provide warm hand-offs to treatment settings, and provide Substance Use Disorder resources. plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with opioid addiction. the benefits of such a system include:

1. Guiding Access to Treatment: Navigators assist patients in accessing evidence-based SUD treatments, and contribute to better outcomes and reduced risks associated with opioid misuse.
2. Reducing Barriers: Navigators facilitate low-barrier treatment, providing rapid access to MAT resources. By streamlining access and minimizing administrative hurdles, navigators ensure that patients have access to timely care.
3. Linking to Ongoing Care: Navigators connect patients to long-term care supporting them and following up. They help schedule appointments at outpatient MAT clinics, address barriers to care, and serve as a resource for both patients and clinicians. The continuity of care improves treatment adherence and overall well-being.
4. Creating a Supportive Culture: Navigators contribute to a welcoming access culture that doesn’t stigmatize substance use. By promoting harm reduction practices and recognizing racial disparities in access to care, they foster an environment where patients feel understood and supported. A navigation model ensures that individuals with opioid addiction receive timely, effective treatment, navigate barriers, and access ongoing care, ultimately improving health outcomes and quality of life. Such models help people make positive changes in their health behaviors related to drug use.

The ORC is planning to develop a seven-county navigation system that will operate around the clock. This system will have support navigators who connect individuals to treatment, ensure smooth transitions to treatment settings, and offer resources for substance use disorder (SUD).

Implement year: Fall of 2024

Supportive housing and non-medical transportation play crucial roles in facilitating access to treatment services and sustaining recovery for individuals with opioid disorders. Supportive housing provides a stable and secure environment, offering a foundation for individuals to rebuild their lives without the stressors of homelessness or inadequate housing. This stability is paramount in establishing consistent treatment routines and fostering a sense of security essential for recovery. Additionally, non-medical transportation addresses the logistical barriers that often hinder individuals from accessing treatment, such as lack of transportation options or financial constraints. By ensuring reliable transportation to appointments, therapy sessions, and support groups, individuals are empowered to actively engage in their recovery journey. Both supportive housing and non-medical transportation not only enhance access to treatment services but also create a supportive infrastructure conducive to long-term recovery, promoting holistic well-being and community integration.

The ORC intends to investigate housing opportunities within rural communities and establish a non-medical transportation solution for individuals seeking support for opioid use disorder, utilizing Peer Specialists and/or Community Health Workers.

Implement year: Spring of 2025