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Regional Opioid Settlement Funding
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Regional Opioid Settlement Funding

Regional Opioid Settlement Funding

The Douglas County Region 12 Opioid Council received opioid settlement funding to address gaps and opportunities in prevention, treatment, and recovery services for people with opioid use disorder (OUD) as well as other co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental illnesses in the region.

In August 2024, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners announced the recipients of $1.1 million in grant funding:

Programs combatting the Opioid Epidemic

Case Management Services

Case Management Services offer comprehensive care coordination designed to meet individual needs and support overall wellness. Services include monitoring and follow-up to ensure effective implementation of care plans; ongoing communication with clients, healthcare providers, and community supports; and engaging peers to provide hope and guidance in recovery. We focus on improving social connections, linking individuals to essential resources like housing, employment, and education, and promoting healthy lifestyles and recovery paths, including access to Medication Assisted Treatment. Our goal is to address physical health risks, prevent overdoses, and connect clients with a network of service organizations for holistic support. By integrating case management with recovery support services, we aim to remove barriers, enhance health and wellness, and help individuals achieve their full potential in a supportive and productive recovery journey.

Youth Services

We aim to implement youth prevention programs designed to reduce substance use and promote healthy behaviors. By employing a comprehensive approach that spans multiple age groups and incorporates long-term strategies, we enhance effectiveness beyond single, short-term interventions. These programs focus on early intervention, starting as early as grade school, to build resilience against peer pressure and address various risk factors including behavioral, social, and academic issues. Regular assessments of youth risk and substance accessibility, along with consistent program engagement, are crucial for achieving lasting impact.

Peer support

We aim to enhance peer support programs for substance use treatment, recovery, and prevention in Douglas County. We acknowledge the crucial role that peers —individuals with lived experience in opioid use disorder, substance use, mental illness, and recovery —play in guiding others on their recovery journey. To achieve this, we are seeking qualified organizations or individuals to develop and implement initiatives that will increase both the number and quality of peer workers in the county.

Key components of this initiative include recruiting individuals with relevant experience, providing comprehensive training in skills such as active listening and motivational interviewing, and offering ongoing supervision and support to ensure high-quality peer support. Additionally, successful programs will need to assess their impact through evaluation plans, incorporate training requirements for peer specialists, and offer support to youth and families, all while operating within Douglas County.

Behavior Change and Stigma Reduction Campaigns

Our mission is to combat opioid stigma and substance use disorders within Douglas County by fostering understanding and awareness. We aim to educate the community about who is affected by opioid and substance use issues, prevent youth from falling into substance abuse by engaging with them, their parents, schools, and other trusted sources, and increase awareness of available recovery and treatment services. By challenging our community to unite in addressing the opioid epidemic and other substance use issues, we strive to create a supportive environment for healing and recovery.

Transportation

We aim to provide enhanced transportation services to support individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) and related behavioral health challenges. This initiative aims to provide safe, reliable, and accessible transportation for those seeking prevention, treatment, and recovery support. Transportation services should include various modes such as vans, buses, or public transit vouchers, and cover Region 12, including trips outside the county if needed. Services must be available 24/7, with special accommodations for individuals with mobility issues, and staff must be trained in overdose recognition and carry naloxone. Providers will collaborate with EMS and Fire services and offer transportation to a range of facilities including treatment programs, sober living housing, and legal services.

Expansion of CRT

The CRT program aims to enhance its response to both high-stakes crises and lower-level mental health concerns by refining its referral process and improving data analytics. This project involves engaging a consultant to analyze call data, develop criteria for self and community referrals, and create clear language to distinguish between emergency and non-emergency situations. Key components include assessing the current technology’s capacity for handling community referrals, launching a self-referral link on the CRT website, and implementing a community marketing campaign. The initiative will also involve developing a data dashboard to monitor CRT’s capacity, inform future needs, and support effective responses through ongoing evaluation and data sharing among partners.

Oxycodone is the generic name for a range of opoid pain killing tablets. Prescription bottle for Oxycodone tablets and pills on glass table with reflections

Oxycodone is the generic name for a range of opoid pain killing tablets. Prescription bottle for Oxycodone tablets and pills on glass table with reflections

The opioid epidemic is nationwide – including here in Douglas County. In 2021, 220 people nationwide died each day of an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In 2020-2021, opioid settlements were reached nationwide with Johnson & Johnson and the nation’s three largest drug distribution companies to resolve claims by state and local governments that these companies contributed to the opioid epidemic.

To be good stewards of this funding, Douglas County convened the Region 12 Opioid Abatement Council, which determined seven main uses for the funding, based on local needs.

Resources

National Helpline Opioid Treatment Recovery Prevention Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention

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