RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF TARGETED PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT OF OPIOID PREVENTION EFFORTS IN COLLABORATION WITH COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PARTNERS
WHEREAS, Appalachian District Health Department has committed to the incorporation of the North Carolina Opioid Action Plan, evidence-based opioid and substance use prevention strategies, harm reduction tactics and methods, including safer syringe and naloxone distribution programs into our work. These efforts are directly aligned with our mission and values to ensure the continuation of support for the identified Health Priority of Substance Use and Misuse Prevention determined through the Community Health Assessment and reviewed by coalitions within each district county; and
WHEREAS, the state of North Carolina adopted the 2017-2021 Opioid Action Plan, which outlines necessary steps and actions to combat the opioid epidemic, Appalachian District Health Department will do their part in coordinating infrastructure, reducing oversupply of prescription opioids, increasing clean needle use and dirty needle disposal systems, reducing the diversion of prescription and illicit drugs, increasing community awareness and prevention, increasing the availability of naloxone, expanding treatment and recovery systems of care, and measuring effectiveness of chosen strategies in alignment with such; and
WHEREAS, Appalachian District Health Department and its partners resolve to continue valuing those individuals who are currently active substance users and those who are in the recovery process as part of the solution to the overall dissolution of the opioid epidemic and its effects within our own communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we the Appalachian District Board of Health do hereby commit to the aforementioned statements and support the Local Health Director, Jennifer Greene, and her staff in endeavors related to combatting the opioid epidemic and its effects aero e dis ct.