Tillamook county (oregon) proposes to implement a project that is consistent with the goals, objectives, and intended outcomes of the comprehensive opioid, stimulant, and substance use program…

Tillamook county (oregon) proposes to implement a project that is consistent with the goals, objectives, and intended outcomes of the comprehensive opioid, stimulant, and substance use program (cossup), which include reducing overdose deaths, promoting public safety, and supporting access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery services, as well as evidence-based, culturally relevant interventions for adults and affected family members at any intercept point of the justice system. The purpose of the project is to continue to build upon the work and accomplishments of opioid use response in tillamook county (our tillamook), a countywide, community-based, and multisectoral consortium that was formed in 2019 to address the opioid epidemic afflicting a rural, coastal region that is home to nearly 28,000 people residing in an area just over 1,100 square miles. The proposed cossup initiative will address identified gaps and opportunities to expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals experiencing substance use disorder (SUD), and will primarily target opioid use disorder (OUD) experienced by low-income and uninsured/underinsured residents. Specific project activities will include: 1) delivering crisis intervention training to local law enforcement and first responders to assist efforts to deflect and divert individuals away from adult or juvenile justice systems; 2) the purchase of narcan (naloxone) and related supplies for law enforcement and first responders to administer and distribute in the field to prevent or reverse rural opioid overdoses and build community trust and participation; 3) continuing education and prevention programs that connect law enforcement agencies with k-12 students utilizing the hazelden betty ford foundation school-based prevention curriculum; and 4) hiring a peer support specialist to create a law enforcement liaison program to build bridges of support and collaboration between law enforcement officers and people with OUD in the justice system. By the end of the 36-month project period, expected outcomes will include: 1) the completion of mental health and SUD/OUD specific crisis intervention and DE-escalation training for all law enforcement agencies and first responders; 2) administration or distribution of up to 100 doses of narcan per month in rural cases of confirmed or suspected opioid overdose; and 3) the continued delivery of the hazelden betty ford foundation school-based prevention program with active law enforcement participation at three local k-12 school districts during the grant period. To our knowledge, there are no other active bureau of justice assistance (BJA) grant projects operating within our tillamook county service area.