Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> March 22, 2023 <br /> public health in NC and provided details about the services offered in the OCHD medical <br /> clinic <br /> • Association of NC Boards of Health (ANCBH) are looking to recruit members. Ms. <br /> Stewart referenced the email that she sent to the Board. <br /> • OCHD vacancy rate is 13% with 15 vacant positions; although, there are some job offers <br /> pending. <br /> • COVID-19-related <br /> o The entire state of NC is green (low risk). <br /> o State-supported testing sites will closed on March 31 st. Home test kits are widely <br /> available via mail and the OCHD. <br /> • The Opioid Advisory Committee met last night. They heard proposals from community <br /> partners and county staff on potential use of opioid settlement funds. The committee <br /> plans to recommend funding support for grant-funded positions for the Lantern Project, <br /> Freedom House and the NC FIT Program. The current grant supporting these positions <br /> will that are ending June 30t". There is also a request for funds to cover Narcan and <br /> fentanyl test strips through next fiscal year. <br /> Board member comments — <br /> In response to Dr. Rodgers' question whether law enforcement reports their usage, Ms. Stewart <br /> stated that they report their reversals. <br /> In response to Dr. Royce's question regarding whether Narcan is available for non-law <br /> enforcement, Ms. Stewart replied that free kits are available via the OC Detention Center, which <br /> has a vending machine, and at the OCHD Medical Clinics and tracking is currently not being <br /> conducted. The OCHD also has a safe syringe initiative that provides free clean syringes and <br /> syringe packages that includes various items to assist with drug abuse and overdose <br /> prevention. <br /> Dr. Stuebe mentioned how some patients used to receive a large amount of opioids upon <br /> discharge. <br /> Dr. Crandell mentioned that there is a drop box at UNC Hillsborough for discarded medications. <br /> Dr. Stuebe added that there are charcoal packets in which medications can be dropped into for <br /> discarding. <br /> Dr. Royce asked if anyone tracked what types of medications are actually placed in the <br /> droboxes. Ms. Stewart replied that she can ask Tiffany Barber, a pharmacist member on the <br /> Opioid Advisory Committee. Dr. Rodgers commented that the drop boxes are for all types of <br /> medications, not just opioids. Dr. Royce would like to better understand the impact of the drop <br /> boxes. <br /> Mr. Bagby informed the Board that on last week, at the Passmore Senior Center in <br /> Hillsborough, there was a free OTC medication event. He said that it was a very successful <br /> event resulting in some people being turned away after 2pm due to the volume of people. He <br /> praised the Family Success Alliance for their participation. <br /> In response to Dr. Pickett's question about the mission and vision statements that were <br /> discussed at the Board Retreat, Ms. Stewart stated that she'd send them out in advance as they <br /> may be on the April Board agenda. <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agenda&Abstracts\2023 Agenda &Abstracts/ <br /> March Page 5 <br />