Update: Commissioners Support Continuing Wayne County’s Syringe Services Program

Wayne County’s commissioners unanimously voted Wednesday, May 26, to continue support for the syringe services program for two more years. The resolution that will be drafted and voted on will extend the program until 2023. The law permitting syringe exchanges was extended to 2026 by the state legislature earlier this year. The Wayne County has operated since 2016 when Wayne ranked fourth in the state for hepatitis C cases.

CDC Launches Drug Overdose Website in Spanish

Recent dramatic increases in opioid misuse and overdose death have been observed among people from some racial and ethnic minority groups, including Hispanic/Latino individuals. As Hispanic/Latino persons are one of the fastest growing minority groups, it’s essential that the CDC provides resources for the Spanish-speaking community. This month, the CDC launches the drug overdose website in Spanish, which includes: the basics of the opioid overdose epidemic, including frequently asked questions and commonly used terms; helpful materials and resources to raise awareness and help prevent opioid-related overdoses; and patient information, such as fact sheets, posters, infographics and conversation starters.

Harm Reduction Film Collaboration Nominated for Regional Emmy Award

In 2018, IDOH received a federal grant to address the ongoing opioid crisis. Part of the grant funds were awarded to the Harm Reduction Program, which purchased mobile units for seven syringe services programs (SSPs) in the state and to develop a series of videos that tell the harm reduction story in Indiana. This series was titled “No Harm: The Battle to Save IV Drug Users”. In April 2021, the collaborators were informed that the video series had been nominated for a National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Lower Great Lakes Chapter Emmy Award for Documentary- Societal Concerns. Winners will be announced later this year. Click here to watch and share the video series.

IDOH: Drug Overdose Stakeholder Data Request Survey

The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is interested in hearing from our partners regarding their experiences and needs with drug overdose and/or substance use data. The responses for this survey will be used to improve the ways IDOH disseminates data to its stakeholders. Please share this survey with any colleagues you believe can also provide valuable feedback. Any questions can be directed to Sydney Whiteford at swhiteford@isdh.in.gov. Thank you!

Survey link: https://redcap.isdh.in.gov/surveys/?s=M9CEM4H7EH

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Operation Engage: Raising Awareness to Make Communities Safer

2 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. EDT, Thursday, June 10

This webinar will provide an overview of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) prevention and community outreach efforts, with a special focus on Operation Engage, a new, comprehensive law enforcement and prevention support initiative aimed at reducing drug use, misuse, and overdose deaths. Operation Engage allows DEA field divisions to customize plans and redirect resources to target the drug that presents the greatest threat to public health and public safety in their jurisdictions.

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The Future of Teleservices in Drug Courts (Part 1): Where Are We Now? Recent Developments and Emerging Opportunities

1 p.m. — 3 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 16

Part I of this three-part Virtual Learning Community presents a retrospective view of the transition to teleservices from the perspective of treatment court practitioners, a review of the mounting evidence-base for teleservices in treatment court settings, commentary on the potential for enhancing best practice standards through the use of teleservices, and results of a nationwide survey of treatment courts regarding practice modifications, implementation barriers, effective innovations and intent to continue use of teleservices.

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Naloxone Kit Making with Overdose Lifeline

Early Diversion Virtual Learning Community (Part 4): Developing and Maintaining Collaborative Relationships with Law Enforcement That Survive Changing Times

2 p.m. — 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday, June 17

In this webinar, presenters will describe how community partnerships with law enforcement, such as Crisis Intervention Team programs, have adapted to address the needs of individuals in crisis or in contact with law enforcement. Guidelines will be introduced for communities to consider to adapt and grow these relationships.

Click here to register.