Opioid Response Update

Michael Dulitz, MPH, NRP

Opioid Response Project Coordinator
COVID-19 Data/Analytics Leader
Grand Forks Public Health
 Current Situation

Year Overdoses Fatalities

54* 6 2020 2021 (YTD)
2021 (38 suspected (3/6 pending
opioid) toxicology) City Overdoses Fatalities Overdoses Fatalities

2020 29 3 GF 29 3 54 6
2019 13 3 Fargo 73 18 79 15
2018 16 3 Bismarck 74 8 85 10
2017 32 4 Minot 84 19 61 12
2016 28 3
*Grand Forks Police Department changed methodology to report all
suspected overdoses versus opioid specific overdoses
 Current Situation
Opioid and Suspected Opioid Overdoses by Quarter Q1 2014 - 3Q (to date) 2021
Altru Health System
20
19

18
18

16
15 15

14 14
14
13 13 13

12
12
11 11 11 11

10
10

8 8 8
8
7 7

6 6 6 6
6
5 5 5 5 5

4
4
3

Quarter

Total 4 per. Mov. Avg. (Total)

 Community Efforts
Grand Forks Public Health
Opioid Response Activities

Grand Forks
Substance
Abuse
Prevention
Coalition
 Selective Prevention
GFPH Opioid Response Supported Other Activities
• OneRx • Altru Prescription Opioid
– Screening for risk of opioid misuse in Stewardship Committee
clients receiving opioid prescriptions • Medication Takeback Programs
– GFPH supports OneRx at: – GFPD/GFSO
• Thrifty White Pharmacies
– Pharmacy Programs
• Walls Medicine Center
• Public Naloxone Access
– No cost naloxone available at Inspire
Pharmacy
 Indicated Prevention
GFPH Opioid Response Supported Other Activities
• APC Project Syringe Service • Grand Forks Public Schools
Program – Addiction Counseling Program
• Spectra Health Social Work
Program Expansion
• Used Syringe Collection Program
APC Project Syringe Service Program
• Now co-located at Spectra Health
• Currently operating 10 hours/week with
0.95 FTE
• 90 clients served since start of program
• Substances of use
– Methamphetamine (89%)
– Opioids (43%)

January – August 2021

New Clients 29
Visits 182
Average Unique Clients per Month 15
Syringes Provided 9,733
Syringes Received 8,092
Return Ratio 83%
Naloxone Doses 430
Sharps Containers 407
 Case Identification
GFPH Opioid Response Supported Other Activities
• Spectra Health Behavioral Health • Northeast Human Service Center
Program – Open Access Hours
– Addiction and Mental Health • Grand Forks Police Department
Screening Program in Primary Care
– Community Outreach Bureau
• APC Project Syringe Service • Grand Forks Public Schools
Program – Addiction Counseling Program
– Co-located within Spectra Health
– Access to social worker as point of
entry during program hours
 Treatment
GFPH Opioid Response Supported
• Medication Assisted Treatment
– Spectra Health
• Prescribed 2 of 3 medications
available for treatment of Opioid Use
Disorder
• Addiction Counseling
– Spectra Health
• Low intensity outpatient treatment
– Agassiz Associates
• Operates intensive outpatient
treatment at Grand Forks County
Correctional Center
• Suspended due to COVID-19
Other Activities
• Substance Use Disorder Voucher
Program
• Outpatient Treatment
– Agassiz Associates
– Drake Counseling
– Northeast Human Service Center
– Riverview Recovery Center (EGF)
• Residential Programming
– Northeast Human Service Center
– Douglas Place (EGF)
• Medication Assisted Treatment
– Ideal Option
 Long Term Treatment
GFPH Opioid Response Supported Other Activities
• Peer Support • Free Through Recovery
– Face IT TOGETHER • Community Connect
• One Peer Coach in Grand Forks
• Free Through Recovery and
Community Connect Provider
• Housing Support
– F5 Project
• 6 Bed House for men with addiction
or coming out of criminal justice
system
• Free Through Recovery and
Community Connect Provider
 After Care
GFPH Opioid Response Supported Other Activities
• Peer Support • Peer led group meetings
• Housing Support – Narcotics Anonymous
• Medication Assisted Treatment • Faith based group meetings
– Spectra Health – Celebrate Recovery
• Freedom Church
• Medical and Behavioral Health
• Hope Church
Treatment
– Spectra Health
• Ancillary Support
– Job Service of North Dakota
 Next Steps
Request
• State Opioid Response Grant
Contracted Services $211,503
Year 4 Peer Support/Housing $50,000

– Continue current efforts Linkages to Care $90,377

– Add messaging campaign Contingency Management $21,125

Messaging $50,000
– Naloxone Leave Behind Program
Syringe Service Program $72,656
• Engaged with Public Safety
Program Support (Project Coordinator) $54,841
• Establish Opioid Treatment Total Grant Request $339,000
Program
– $100,000 - $200,000 start up
funds through federal block
grants
– Community Medical Services
Questions?