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3 <br /> Orange County Opioid Task Force <br /> Decades of prescribing more opioids at higher doses have led to a rising number of opioid overdose deaths <br /> creating a public health crisis in North Carolina to include Orange County. UNC Medical Center and the <br /> Orange County Health Department would like to partner to further coordinate efforts to address this <br /> epidemic in our community.At this time, we envision a 3-5 year commitment to work with stakeholders in <br /> the opioid use disorder(OUD) and substance use disorder(SUD) community in Orange County.This proposed <br /> partnership will build a more resilient infrastructure equipped to assess community needs to current and <br /> potentially the next wave of the opioid epidemic. <br /> The NC Opioid State Action Plan will serve as the foundation for the work.We have identified 3 priorities to <br /> initially address: <br /> 1. Education; <br /> 2. Reduce oversupply of prescription opioids; and <br /> 3. Expand treatment and recovery oriented systems of care. <br /> These priorities align with the State Opioid Action Plan. Please see below for a more detailed description <br /> about each priority area. <br /> Education <br /> Education gaps exist in most all spaces from medical prescribers,to medication consumers,to the lay public. <br /> Robust effort to educate the larger community on safe prescribing, storage, disposal, overdose response, and <br /> treatment is imperative. Focus on obstacles to health (poverty, housing, discrimination, education, etc)for <br /> people with substance use disorders. Eliminate the stigma associated with substance use disorder. Everyone <br /> deserves a fair and just opportunity to be healthier.A big part to successful recovery is support and <br /> compassion. Patients in pain and those with a substance use disorder need treatment, not judgment.This <br /> partnership will collate and disseminate the appropriate education to the respective groups in the <br /> community. <br /> Reduce oversupply of prescription opioids <br /> Partner with local medical and dental practices to reduce current dosage prescribing and the use of <br /> alternatives to opioids. Use established evidence-based protocols and leverage existing best practices in the <br /> community. <br /> Expand treatment and recovery oriented systems of care <br /> Currently, minimal treatment options exist in Orange County.This partnership will leverage existing programs <br /> and partner with new organizations to grow the treatment options in Orange County. <br /> The success of this partnership is dependent upon community engagement. We plan to build and sustain a <br /> local task force to convene stakeholders and coordinate activities.We will ensure representation from local <br /> government, local health department, health care providers(i.e. substance use treatment providers), <br /> hospital, law enforcement,first responders, court system,youth-serving organizations, higher education, and <br /> individuals affected by the opioid crisis. Our community has initiated several activities to respond to opioid <br /> abuse,to include but not limited to, Medication Drop Boxes, naloxone for law enforcement, implementation <br /> of the COORE program, distribution of safe syringe packages and the new Medication Assisted Treatment <br /> (MAT) program in the jail. However,we have more to do. <br /> To accomplish this important task, we request united support from local leaders and financial support for <br /> sustainability of activities. We anticipate using existing staff to lead this work(approximately 20 hours a <br /> week)with the support of UNCMC and OCHD leadership. <br />