Vermont state opioid response - in 2019, vermont experienced its first statistically significant decline in opioid related deaths, decreasing by 15% (111 deaths) from 2018 (130 deaths)

This progress was stifled by the arrival of the covid-19 infection in the united states. Preliminary 2023 opioid-related accidental and undetermined fatal overdose data show a decrease in opioid-related fatal overdoses, with a 5% decrease from 244 deaths in 2022 to 231 in 2023. While these preliminary results are distressing, IT demonstrates a profound need to continue our comprehensive public health approach. The state opioid response (SOR) grant proposes to help vermonters access treatment and move from treatment to successful recovery through strengthened prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Populations of focus are: 1) individuals who need, but are not actively seeking, opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment; 2) individuals awaiting administration of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD); and 3) individuals who may be at increased risk for opioid overdose, including those using both cocaine and opioids. We plan to implement a set of SOR year four activities that utilize enhanced and mutually reinforcing initiatives implemented through existing prevention, treatment, and recovery systems. The vermont department of health (VDH), division of substance use programs (DSU) has prioritized the following three goals: goal one: increase access to OUD and stimulant use disorder treatment, including MOUD. Supported activities: VT helplink call center information, support, harm reduction resources, and referral services; opioid treatment program implementation; contingency management technical assistance; marketing of available services; adolescent and family screening, engagement, and recovery services. Goal two: increase regional capacity to implement community-specific opioid strategies. Supported activities: education and referral services for new americans at risk of OUD; enhanced recovery supports such as specialized recovery coaching for parents, and recovery coaches embedded in fourteen (14) regional hospital emergency departments. Goal three: decrease opioid related deaths. In addition to the interventions already described, activities include: expand information provided on the recent addition of a page on VT helplink dedicated to substance misuse prevention, providing resources on: prescription medications disposal; safe use of prescription opioids; community prevention programs; family dedicated resources; overdose prevention and how to obtain and administer naloxone; and additional resources on covid-19 guidance in the event of outbreaks in residential facilities and alternative treatment and recovery services if you become infectious while seeking care.