Opioid and Substance Misuse Response Program

The nationwide opioid epidemic started in the 1990s with increased opioid prescribing and opioid overdose deaths. Heroin and other synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, led to further increases beginning in 2010 (CDC, Understanding the Epidemic).

In October 2017, HHS declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency. Drug overdoses have been increasing both in Georgia and nationally since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Georgia Department of Public Health reports from 2010 to 2022, the total number of opioid-involved overdose deaths in Georgia increased by 302%. These increases were driven largely by fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid often found in drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and counterfeit pills. From 2019 to 2022, fentanyl-involved drug overdose deaths increased 308%, from 392 to 1,601.

The Opioid and Substance Misuse Response Program is responsible for responding to the opioid epidemic and other emerging issues around substance misuse. Established in 2016 with federal grant funding, the Georgia Department of Public Health's (DPH) initiative focuses on combating the statewide opioid crisis. 

In September 2019, DPH was one of the 66 recipients awarded the CDC’s Overdose Data to Action cooperative agreement. The Opioid and Substance Misuse Response Program works in close partnership with the Drug Surveillance Unit, leveraging drug overdose data to guide prevention and intervention initiatives across the state.

Additionally, the program supports and improves Georgia’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). Tackling the complex challenges of the drug overdose crisis, it underscores the importance of an integrated, thorough, and collaborative public health strategy. Funding is directed towards statewide efforts in both monitoring and prevention.

With the new 5-year grant, the following initiatives are currently in progress:

  • Training and Education

    ​​​​​​The program is developing training sessions covering various topics, including updated training on opioid overdose/naloxone administration for first responders, clinician and nurse training on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), and training on linkages of care for state Public Health Analysts.

  • Harm Reduction

    Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach that is critical to engaging with people who use drugs and equipping them with life-saving tools and information to create positive change in their lives and potentially save their lives. Harm reduction is a key pillar in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Overdose Prevention Strategy.

    The program ensures the ongoing provision of harm reduction supplies throughout the state by distributing naloxone to communities through Public Health Analysts (PHAs). Additionally, the program is currently collaborating with organizations to install repurposed newspaper stands, offering 24-hour access to harm reduction supplies, including naloxone and Fentanyl test strips.

  • Linkages to Care

    The program is actively crafting training initiatives designed to motivate hospital staff and designated personnel in correctional facilities to provide overdose prevention education. Furthermore, these initiatives strive to ensure that, upon release, individuals are connected to naloxone, linked to care, granted access to resources, guided by peer navigators, and offered treatment options.

  • Syringe Service Programs

    As of August 2020, Georgia allows for the legal establishment of Syringe Service Programs (also known as syringe exchange program, syringe access programs, drug user health hubs, hypodermic syringe, and needle exchange programs).

    The Georgia Department of Public Health’s Opioid and Substance Misuse is responsible for supporting and overseeing the Georgia Syringe Service Program, which certifies legal requirements are satisfied before any program begins providing services, ensures programs remain compliant once certified, and provides technical assistance to programs as needed. This ensures programs meet the requirements above and understand the limited immunity provision, and to facilitate connection between programs and existing services. 

    Any government or non-government organization that promotes scientifically proven ways of mitigating health risks associated with drug use and other high-risk behaviors can start a syringe service program (SSPs).                      

    To begin the application, all applicants must create a Knack account. This will allow applicants to save their application periodically, receive notifications from the Georgia SSP, and meet routine data collection requirements.

  • Public Health Analysts

    Public Health Analysts (PHAs) are locally-embedded employees within the 18 public health districts in Georgia. Their main responsibility is to execute strategies aimed at preventing and responding to overdoses from opioids, stimulants, and polysubstance use. This involves fostering collaborations among various partners within the district to curb drug overdoses. PHAs bridge the gap between local law enforcement, district and state public health agencies, as well as prevention and treatment organizations. Additionally, they handle responses to overdose clusters and prescription disruption events in their districts, offer substance abuse education, and assist in distributing harm reduction materials to their community.

Contact Information 

Opioid and Substance Misuse Response Program
[email protected]

 

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Page last updated 6/24/2024