Codington county proposes to implement a multi-pronged approach to reducing the impact of illicit opioids, stimulants, and other substances in the community

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded a $999,997 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and other Substances Use Program (COSSUP) grant to Codington County, South Dakota. The 3-year project, starting October 1, 2024, aims to implement a multi-pronged approach to reducing the impact of illicit opioids, stimulants, and other substances in the community. Key activities include distributing naloxone for overdose awareness and protection, coordinating recovery support through peer coaching and trainings, providing financial assistance for transitional and emergency housing, developing a pre-trial diversion program with case management, and enhancing re-entry support services. Expected outcomes include institutionalizing a multidisciplinary coordinating team, reducing recidivism, and sustaining a community referral system to connect individuals to resources.

The proposed project will address overdose awareness and protection with naloxone distribution; coordinate recovery support efforts through peer coaching and trainings with face IT together and straight up care; provide financial assistance to sustain local efforts to provide transitional and emergency housing to justice impacted individuals; and develop a pre-trial diversion program with a caseworker, as well as RE-entry support with case management support in the detention center. Expected outcomes include the institutionalization of the multidisciplinary coordinating team to provide ongoing support for individuals impacted by substance use, a reduction in the frequency of returns to jail, and the sustainment of a community referral system to connect individuals to resources.