Douglas County Convenes Opioid Taskforce

According to the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon has one of the highest rates of prescription opioid misuse in the nation. Though death rates of opioid overdose in Oregon have been declining overall over the past few years, overdose deaths from drugs like fentanyl have seen a sharp increase. Douglas Public Health Network (DPHN) is working with key partners to prevent use, misuse, addiction, and overdose as well as promote treatment and recovery.

The Douglas County Opiate Taskforce (OTF) began in 2013 as a workgroup under the Up2Us Now Coalition Child Abuse Prevention Coalition and DPHN Program Specialist, Christin Rutledge, became the Chair in April 2017. Primary goals of the OTF are opioids treatment, prevention, and recovery and have focused on community outreach, take back events, addressing stigma, communications, education, and Medicine Assisted Treatments (MATs). As a result of the OTF’s partnerships, over 80 doses of Narcan have been provided to local law enforcement and 142 doses have been given to community members though both events and through the local syringe exchange, the HIV Alliance between July 2017 and June 2018. 

DPHN serves as the convener of the OTF and works with law enforcement, Compass Behavioral Health, Adapt, South River Community Health Center, HIV Alliance, Advantage Dental, Umpqua Health (CCO), Mercy Foundation, and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians for a community approach to prevent opioid addiction and overdose.
The OTF is strengthened by the diverse views each partner brings to the opioid problems in the community. A main focus point from the past year has been to work with Law Enforcement to ensure that all have been trained on using Naloxone as well as to be able to provide them their first set of kits. Through the diverse partnerships, all the law enforcement agencies in Douglas County have been trained or will be trained and provided kits.

For other health departments interested in starting or strengthening their own Opioid Taskforce, Christin Rutledge recommends resources such as a strong community champion who is well known in the community as well as strong collaborative community partners. She also recommends holding meetings at a regular time and providing food to get greater attendance and participation.