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u <br />Substance abuse and mental health issues permeate local public health. From exposure to <br />environmental tobacco smoke causing an increase in cardiovascular disease to the challenges <br />associated with ensuring medication compliance in a depressed patient with a communicable <br />disease, mental health and substance abuse have far - reaching health and economic impacts. <br />Addressing these problems will take a fully engaged and active presence by all organizations <br />serving these clients. The Board of Health will address this issue through four focus areas: <br />1) Advocating for policies /practices /legislation aimed at improving substance abuse and <br />mental health services <br />2) Advocating for the importance of and need for childhood mental health services. <br />3) Exploring the connection between health and the criminal justice system <br />4) Providing continuing support for county partners to implement and evaluate the Orange <br />County Smoke -Free Public Places Rule <br />Action Steps <br />Focus Area #1: Advocate for policies /practices /legislation aimed at improving substance <br />abuse and mental health services. <br />1) By February 2015, Health Department staff will explore the feasibility and legality of <br />using the public health nuisance abatement order to control repeated underage alcohol <br />sales /service violations by vendors. <br />2) By May 2015, Health Department staff will research evidence -based practices to reduce <br />the frequency of infections, such as HIV and hepatitis C, passed through drug misuse and <br />abuse and present their findings to the Substance Abuse /Mental Health Subcommittee. <br />3) By May 2015, Health Department staff will research the legal basis of putting findings <br />from 2) into practice by the Board of Health. <br />4) By October 2015, the Substance Abuse /Mental Health subcommittee will discuss the <br />findings from 3) and present their recommendations to the full Board. ( *If the Board de- <br />cides to move forward, begin implementation planning.) <br />Focus Area #2: Advocate for the importance of and need for childhood mental health services. <br />1) By August 2014, Health Department staff and the Early Childhood Mental Health MPH <br />Intern will present a proposed consistent messaging campaign on the importance of early <br />childhood mental health to the Board of Health for implementation. The campaign will <br />be implemented starting fall 2014. <br />2) By September 2015, the Substance Abuse /Mental Health subcommittee will receive and <br />discuss priority policy recommendations from local leaders/ advisory boards in early <br />childhood mental health to improve policy and programs. The Subcommittee will then <br />present recommendations for action to the Board of Health <br />l:1 <br />