Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
47 <br /> B. Project Description and Program Sustainability(28 points, page limit:not to exceed 3 pages) <br /> PHS plans to use Orange County High Impact Opioid Abatement funds toward Strategy 2: <br /> Evidence Based Addiction Treatment. The following services will be provided at no cost for <br /> Medication for Opioid Use Disorder(MOUD) patients of Orange County: <br /> - Visit costs <br /> - Lab costs <br /> - Medication costs <br /> Providing MOUD at no cost is a vital strategy in preventing overdose deaths; individuals with <br /> Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) who participate in an MOUD program receive support in managing <br /> cravings, reducing withdrawal symptoms, and ultimately, preventing relapse into active <br /> addiction. MOUD blocks the effects of opioids and people with access to medications like <br /> buprenorphine are less likely to return to illicit opioid use. It is important to note here that illicit <br /> opioids are often contaminated with fentanyl or other substances that contribute to a high <br /> likelihood of overdose; by preventing relapse, MOUD prevents overdose deaths. MOUD <br /> programs also encourage individuals to engage with much-needed services like counseling, <br /> which has been show to improve long-term recovery outcomes. <br /> Alleviating the cost of visits, labs, and medications for patients means that those financial <br /> barriers will not stand in the way of much-needed MOUD services. Providing MOUD at no cost <br /> also communicates to patients that we support them in their process,thereby reducing stigma. <br /> PHS anticipates using this funding to enroll two new patients in our MOUD program each month <br /> at our Carrboro clinic and one new patient each month at our Chapel Hill clinic,for a total of <br /> three patients each month, or 36 patients in one year. <br /> PHS engages with community members who may require MOUD services by partnering with <br /> community agencies such as the Orange County Emergency Services Post Overdose Response <br /> Team (PORT), the NC STAR Network, and the Orange County Health Department, among many <br /> others. As a known and trusted presence in Orange County, PHS also participates in Health Fairs, <br /> often with our Mobile Health Unit, in order to provide health screenings and spread awareness <br /> of our services; occasionally we will receive interest in our MOUD services in-person, either <br /> from a person with OUD or from a family member or loved one. Referrals for behavioral health <br /> or substance use disorder services come from many places, including positive screenings from <br /> our medical clinics, patient insurance companies, and other community agencies. <br /> This project will advance PHS's vision of a healthy community in which all people have timely <br /> access to quality health care. Our hope is that by using this funding to provide services at no <br /> cost, we will reach the people who most need MOUD services, and not only provide much- <br /> needed care, but also help transition patients into utilizing PHS as a medical home. MOUD is <br /> 3 <br />