Minutes 12-07-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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- are the results measurable - is there an ability to replicate the program across all 100 counties -would you recommend the program to your own county/jurisdiction He said a panel of judges, made up of many professional, evaluated the submissions. He said he is here to present an Award to the Orange County Health Department for the Naloxone Access Program, supervised by Donna King, and team members Meredith Steward, Kim Woodward, Chris Atac, Colleen Bridger, Orange County Board of Health, and the Carrboro Police Department. Matt Gunnet gave a brief description of the Naloxone Access Program. He said the program was implemented with existing staff time and grant funds that were used to purchase an initial stock of 25 kits. He said the reason for the program was the increasing number of overdoses since 1999 which is not predicted to slow down in the near future. He said public health nurses were able to screen and address the potential for opioid overdoses, which has increased the client's willingness to discuss their drug addiction and abuse. He said the program has also potentially reduced costs, because physicians are not required to see the patient to provide a solution. He said the program results show that naloxone distribution costs approximately $400 for each year of life gained, which is well below the threshold considered acceptable for medical intervention's cost effectiveness. He said EMS personnel said they are excited that collaboration has opened the doors for more collaboration with their local partners. Colleen Bridger, Orange County Health Director, recognized some of their partners: Susan Elmore, Carrboro Police, Kim Woodard and Dinah Jeffries with EMS, Sheriff Blackwood and his department, Chapel Hill Police Chief Blue, Meredith Steward from the Health Department. Colleen Bridger said four lives have been saved thus far, and she recognized these partners in winning this award. She passed around a sample of a naloxone kit. The Local Government Federal Credit Union presented them with a $1,000.00 check. Sheriff Blackwood said this is a vital program for the community that saves lives, and he thanked the partners. Kim Woodard said she was so proud to work with such an incredible team, especially their law enforcement agencies. She noted that Orange County was the first county to implement such a program and is helping other counties across the State in implementing similar programs. Commissioner Rich asked if Kim Woodard could give further explanation of how the program works. Kim Woodard explained the program, noting that it is a real team effort across departments that keeps law enforcement safe and saves the lives of citizens. Commissioner Price said she attended the conference where the award was given last summer and she was so proud of Orange County. A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner Rich for the Board to congratulate the Health Department and other local agencies for collaborating on the Naloxone Program and the accomplishments of this life saving effort, and that the Board express appreciation to NCACC and LGFCU for the supporting the Naloxone Program and other creative efforts across the State with Excellence in Innovation Awards. VOTE: UNANIMOUS