Agenda 05-06-25; 6-a - Opioid Advisory Committee Settlement Fund Use Recommendations

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109 B. Project Description and Program Sustainability The primary implementation strategy addressed by this proposal is Strategy 9: Syringe Service Program. Our work also addresses Strategy 7: Naloxone Distribution. The proposed project is funding for the Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) SSP. SHAC SSP is a volunteer- based organization that seeks to improve health outcomes for people who use substances and improve community knowledge of drug safety. We are founded on the principles of harm reduction, which seek to center the humanity of people who use substances while working to reduce higher-risk behaviors through delivery of non-judgmental care. We aim to "meet people where they are" and rebuild trust between people with substance use disorder(SUD) and the medical community. SHAC SSP serves a diverse clientele and is the only fixed location SSP operated out of and focused exclusively on Orange County. Our parent organization, SHAC, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is managed through the UNC Health Foundation and is part of the National Association of Free Clinics and North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. SHAC's mission is to provide free "comprehensive health care and social needs support." Due to capacity constraints, SHAC is unable to administer large awards in-house. Therefore, we are applying with the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center (IPRC) who will administer the award, including overseeing the financial, personnel, and compliance aspects of the program. SHAC SSP was awarded Orange County Opioid Settlement funds in a previous cycle and the contract is currently administered through IPRC. SHAC SSP registered with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as an SSP in Spring of 2022. Since our inception in 2022 we have provided safer use supplies to over 175 unique SSP clients, including more than 456 doses of naloxone and 2,002 syringes. We also provide sterile injection supplies, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, first aid supplies, drug checking kits, referrals to local organizations for substance use disorder treatment, and referrals to other clinics within SHAC for free medical and dental care, STI and HIV testing and treatment, and more. Our leadership team has been trained to lead educational activities related to naloxone administration, harm reduction principles, North Carolina Good Samaritan laws, and fentanyl awareness. In the last year, our volunteer base increased from 15 to 83 active volunteers with undergraduates, nursing students, public health students, and medical students receiving training on topics important for SSP shift staffing including how to teach participants about naloxone use. Our tracked statistics from May 2022-May 2023, prior to receiving Orange County Opioid Settlement Funding, compared to June 2023-June 2024 with funding show that we substantially increased our supply provision to participants. Overall, our number of participants served increased from 65 in 2022-2023 to 124 in 2023-2024. Our provision of naloxone doses increased 109% in 2023-2024 compared to 2022-2023 from 99 to 207, and our number of syringes distributed increased 115% from 439 to 946. Additionally, we expanded from one to two weekly supply distribution shifts during the last funding period. We are seeking funding for SSP supplies, educational materials, marketing, travel, and continued funding for the paid Program Navigator position within SHAC SSP. Supplies include purchases of naloxone, syringes, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, basic first aid supplies, and other items comprising the total inventory of 26 harm reduction-related items we supply.The program navigator hired within the last funded year provides program management and support, including development of educational materials, volunteer management and training,