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& the Legal System" <br /> Nov 20th <br /> "Diverse Perspectives on the Need and Success <br /> of Integrative Healthcare" <br /> Substance Abuse & Mental Health <br /> • - Promotion of recent legislative changes and system to track prescriptions <br /> • - Expand distribution of Naloxone, a medication that safely and quickly reverses opioid <br /> overdose <br /> • - Healthy Carolinians of Orange County promoting "on the ground" community efforts <br /> Project Lazarus (graphic) <br /> Looking Forward (timeline) <br /> Tony Whitaker said a committee has been formed to look at the topic of substance <br /> abuse and mental health. He said these topics have been combined because they are so <br /> closely related. <br /> He said there has been a lot of discussion of innovation tonight, but not all innovation is <br /> high visibility. He said the Board of Health reorganized the standard committees to represent <br /> the board's points of focus. <br /> He said the Smoke Free Public Places (SFPP) initiative was one of the most successful <br /> accomplishments of this past year. He said public input was valuable in tailoring the rule that <br /> was eventually adopted. <br /> He noted that the 550 signs posted for this initiative were covered by the funding <br /> received. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked about the cessation class. <br /> Colleen Bridger said the "Fresh Start" model is used, and this involves a four session <br /> class. Each class is facilitated by a trained educator. She said the class teaches people how <br /> to quit smoking, set goals and create coping mechanisms. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if this has been successful. <br /> Colleen Bridger said this is being evaluated. She said typically less than half of those <br /> who try to quit smoking are successful. She said the rates are a little higher than that on the <br /> initial evaluations. She is not comfortable publishing this information until 6-12 months after <br /> the classes. <br /> Tony Whitaker said nicotine replacement therapy kits have also been distributed, and <br /> he thanked the Board for funding this. <br /> He said the focus has now been shifted to a substance abuse and mental health <br /> evaluation. He reviewed upcoming sessions happening on October 23, and November 20tH <br /> and he invited Board members to attend. <br /> He noted that Project Lazarus is an intervention model that has been used successfully <br /> in Wilkes County. He said there are a number of different strategies that are community <br /> based, education based and policy based. He said Healthy Carolinians has already begun <br /> community and educational strategies, including installation of prescription drug boxes at three <br /> police departments in the County. <br /> He said Healthy Carolinians has received grant money to continue this work, and the <br /> Board of Health is working with them to look at how to do more at a policy level. <br /> Tony Whitaker said there are several coalition building efforts in the works for the <br /> future. <br />