Orange County NC Website
Innovative, Prevention Focused Plan <br />2014-2016 Strategic Plan <br />Started Summer 2014 <br />Evidence-Based Interventions <br />Substance Abuse/Mental Health <br />Advocate for improved substance abuse and mental health services <br />Advocate for the importance of early childhood and mental health <br />Explore connection between health and the criminal justice system <br />Continue to support partners in Smoke Free Public Places (SFPP) policy <br />implementation and evaluation <br />Communication Efforts <br />OC — Proud to be Smoke Free <br />Buzz Rides <br />prominent advertising and surveying with UNC Student transport business <br />Compliance <br />Employee and resident videos on approaching others about smoking in public places <br />Addressing Underage and Binge Drinking <br />Health Department involvement in Town and Gown Task Force to address underage <br />drinking, and binge drinking <br />New collaborative position to implement action steps in plan <br />Liska Lackey said research and experience show a healthy childhood is the foundation <br />for future success. She said the Health Department is developing a campaign focused on the <br />importance of early childhood. She said this message will appear in written articles, print <br />advertising, and social media, culminating with a community screening of the documentary <br />Raising of America. She said a survey shows the community is gaining greater awareness of <br />the SFPP. She added that new university students entering the area each year requires a <br />greater push for education about the policy. She said this public education is taking place in <br />various ways. She said the Health Department has conducted fourteen Fresh Start classes; <br />six hundred and fifty boxes of nicotine replacement therapy have been distributed; the staff <br />has successfully advocated for the reimbursement of smoking cessation counseling and has <br />also secured these services for clients at Orange County Mental Health. She said all staff <br />members at the Inter-Faith Council shelter have been trained on tobacco cessation and <br />piloting a cessation program with Freedom House. <br />Liska Lackey said in the past year, the BOH has advocated for changes in the State of <br />North Carolina Pharmacy Regulations and lead the way in making "naloxone"( more accessible <br />to the community in fall 2013. She said Orange County passed the first standing order for <br />dispensing at a health Department. She added because of these efforts, every health <br />department in North Carolina can now do the same. She said these efforts have expanded to <br />allow first responders to carry naloxone locally as well, with Carrboro already trained, Chapel <br />Hill going live shortly, and the Sheriff's Department in the midst of training now. She said <br />these changes are a tremendous example of interdepartmental collaboration. <br />Liska Lackey said the Health Department has been working with Healthy Carolinians <br />regarding the safe disposal of unused prescriptions drugs. She said all law enforcement