How counties can use opioid settlement funds and government grants for evidence-based drug abuse prevention
Upcoming Events
Related News
From our partners
Take advantage of funding opportunities to make drug deactivation and disposal part of your county’s prevention efforts
Preventing prescription drug abuse continues to be a top priority in counties across the country. The opioid crisis is one of the worst public health emergencies our country has faced in decades, and overdose deaths have risen exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic: More than 96,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2020, according to new Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data. That’s a more than 30 percent increase from 2019 and the highest number of overdose fatalities ever recorded in the U.S.
For many of us, the substance abuse epidemic is personal. I lost one of my closest friends and college roommates to a drug abuse-related illness, and that experience is what initially led me to working in the prevention space after 31 years in the military. Since joining the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), I’ve spoken with countless individuals with similar stories and many government leaders whose communities have been deeply impacted by the opioid crisis.
Many local governments are anticipating an influx of resources for prevention, treatment and recovery efforts in the form of opioid litigation settlement funds or grant dollars from the nearly $4 billion in substance abuse and mental health funding included in the American Rescue Plan.
At the 2021 NACo Annual Conference, I sat on a panel for a session exploring county strategies for navigating opioid settlements. One of the primary discussion topics was how government officials can help ensure these funds go toward actionable strategies and evidence-based solutions that make a measurable positive impact on the communities they serve.
Prevention efforts that focus on educating individuals about the importance of proper medication disposal are critical; opioid dependence often starts in the home medicine cabinet, so eliminating opportunities for drug misuse is a key component of a successful prevention strategy.
Funds earmarked for prevention can be used to provide tools like the Deterra® Drug Deactivation and Disposal System, an evidence-based, at-home medication disposal system. Deterra has been shown to increase proper disposal behavior and have a positive ROI for communities. For example, in Summit County, Ohio, dozens of businesses, government agencies and nonprofit groups joined together to distribute over 140,000 Deterra Pouches to destroy 5.5 million unused pills.
Communities across the country have implemented at-home drug deactivation and disposal campaigns with Deterra to help remove drugs from home medicine cabinets and reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse. The Deterra Pouches are distributed by local law enforcement and coalitions, often with custom labels that include information about who funded the program and links to further resources. The pouches can also be mailed to residents with a postcard that includes survey questions or a QR code linked to an online survey to collect responses and measure the impact of the distribution efforts.
As counties start planning for the use of prevention funds, partnering with community groups to offer tangible, proven resources like Deterra Pouches and educational materials on the importance of drug disposal is a sound investment in our communities’ future.
Contact Deterra to learn more about securing funds for at-home drug deactivation and disposal or download the Deterra Grant Guide for practical tips and sample grant-writing language to help you add Deterra to your prevention efforts.
Post Sponsor
Empowering Communities: How County Leaders are Tackling the Opioid Crisis Head-On
Forward-thinking county leaders are implementing year-round strategies to prevent overdoses, educate communities about the importance of proper drug disposal and connect residents with local resources for support.
County collaboration is key to overcoming the cybersecurity talent shortage
In the United States, citizens depend on county governments to deliver many of the nation’s most critical services. These organizations play a crucial role in ensuring overall community well-being by managing essential services such as law enforcement, public health, infrastructure maintenance, and emergency response.
DTE Energy bringing natural gas, opportunity to Tri-County Region in Northern Michigan
Residents of Benzie, Manistee and Wexford counties in Michigan can breathe a sigh of relief this winter as natural gas becomes available in the region for the first time leading to significant savings, increased comfort and improved reliability.
Building Resilience Against Climate Change – Insights from Tidal Basin
Carlos J. Castillo, President of Federal Services at Tidal Basin, emphasized the critical role of emergency management in local climate resilience at the 2024 NACo Legislative Conference and Annual Conference.
Investing Over $100 Billion in American Infrastructure
AT&T has invested over $140 billion in the past five years to enhance American connectivity, focusing on expanding its role as the nation's largest fiber internet provider and improving its reliable 5G network, which now serves nearly 290 million people.
Building Networks for the Next Century, Not the Last One
AT&T emphasizes its nearly 150-year history of innovation and connectivity as it transitions from traditional copper landlines to modern fiber and wireless technologies, highlighting the importance of adapting to current consumer demands and technological advancements.
Travis County Develops 2,000 Units of Housing to Address Homelessness
This post is sponsored by our partners at Guidehouse. Through Guidehouse's comprehensive support, Travis County is on track to successfully create over 2,000 units of affordable, supportive housing by 2027.
Feeding kids during the summer requires county officials
The introduction of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program marks a pivotal shift in addressing childhood hunger, especially during the summer when school meals are unavailable. This nationwide initiative, offering substantial grocery benefits, promises transformative support for over 29 million children, with a significant impact on communities facing systemic inequalities.
Why customer-centric strategy is vital for digital service adoption
The importance of a customer-centric strategy in digital service adoption for county governments is emphasized, highlighting the need for thoughtful design, clear communication, and multi-channel engagement to meet user expectations and improve customer experience.
Fighting opioid addiction – one life at a time
The opioid crisis, a major national issue, saw a 55% increase in drug overdose deaths from 2019 to 2022, with 75% involving opioids. Effective strategies to combat this include integrated care, policy enhancement, and technology, focusing on whole-person care and intervention opportunities to save lives.
Planning for the post-American Rescue Plan Act future
Guidehouse outlines strategies for state and local governments to sustain programs after the end of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) funding. It emphasizes the need for reassessing constituent needs, measuring program impact, and considering fiscal implications to ensure long-term viability and effective resource allocation for programs initially funded by SLFRF.
How voluntary benefits can help improve your employee benefit package
Voluntary benefits, tailored to diverse employee needs and often at reduced costs, are proving essential in enhancing employer benefit packages, attracting, and retaining talent, and addressing specific wellbeing issues across different age and income groups.
A countywide opioid misuse prevention campaign is easier to implement than you think
The Deterra Household Mailing Campaign delivers educational tools and deactivation pouches directly to homes. To save lives by tackling the opioid crisis.
From prevention to resilience: Strategies in wildfire mitigation
Explore a multifaceted approach to wildfire mitigation with Tidal Basin. From creating defensible spaces to early detection systems, discover strategies fostering resilient communities, protecting lives & property. Urgent action is crucial amidst rising wildfire risks. Learn more at TidalBasinGroup.com.
Related News
Empowering Communities: How County Leaders are Tackling the Opioid Crisis Head-On
Forward-thinking county leaders are implementing year-round strategies to prevent overdoses, educate communities about the importance of proper drug disposal and connect residents with local resources for support.
Six years of the SUPPORT Act: Ongoing behavioral health policy priorities for counties
On October 24, 2018, the bipartisan SUPPORT Act was enacted. It represented the largest Congressional investment in overdose prevention at the time, aiming to strengthen the nation's response to the substance use crisis.
County Countdown – Oct. 22, 2024
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.