CODAC Health Recovery & Wellness, Inc Tucson, Arizona, United States
Session Description: There is significant need for innovative approaches to address the substance misuse epidemic that coordinates efforts of multiple stakeholders, including government, law enforcement, health care providers, and researchers. Opioids have been rampant for several years resulting in increased overdose, but the use of methamphetamine and other drugs has not abated as opioid use increased. Coordinated strategic response can connect opioid ad other drug users to appropriate, evidence-based treatment and services and, ultimately, save lives and communities. In Tucson, Arizona the Deflection program models a coordinated effort of justice system, law enforcement, university, integrated health, and behavioral health partners, united in their goal to reduce substance misuse within Pima County, Arizona. Workshop presenters will discuss the impetus for the Deflection program and the partnerships necessary for implementation and evaluation including: 1) identifying and connecting key decision-makers; 2) developing partnerships necessary to for implementation of peer support co-responder models; 3)strategies for generating potential solutions to common challenges and barriers including divergent beliefs in how to address the substance user, community relations, and synching the interpretation of the missions and values of multiple systems through collaboration; 4) Presenters will give particular attention to generating solutions informed by best practices, research, and/or regional data.
Learning Objectives:
After this activity participants should be able to
1. Upon completion participants will be able to describe to steps and processes involved in building a cross agency partnership between treatment and law enforcement.
2. Upon completion participants will be able to identify the indicators important to their programs and communities necessary for evaluation of the effectiveness of community partnerships.
3. Upon completion participants will be able to define strategies to address challenges to creating collaborative partnerships necessary to establish integrated patient-centered programs that connect individuals to substance use treatment.