Contra Costa County Grand Jury • 2017-2018 • Agency Response
Response to: Bart Crime and Transparency 1804

Subject:REVISED Response to Civil Grand Jury Report No. 1806, Entitled "the Opioid Crisis" Recommendation(s):

Published: September 18, 2018 21 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 12 findings

F1
The availability of MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) in the County’s emergency rooms, medical offices, County health clinics, and the County’s detoxification sites does not meet the needs of people with OUD (Opioid Use Disorder).
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The BOS should consider requesting Behavioral Health Services to develop a plan by December 2018 to motivate more physicians to complete their qualifications for a waiver to prescribe and dispense buprenorphine starting in 2019.
F2
Only 3.2% of the nearly 5,600 private and public medical providers in the County have acquired the Drug Enforcement Agency waiver to prescribe buprenorphine, creating a MAT gap for people seeking treatment.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The BOS should consider seeking funds, in the FY2019-2020 budget, for Behavioral Health Services to offer the course “Buprenorphine Treatment: Training for Multidisciplinary Addiction Professions” or equivalent to all of the County’s public medical care providers starting July 1, 2019.
F3
The limited open hours at the County-operated Choosing Change Clinics are a barrier to treatment for OUD users.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The BOS should consider seeking funds, in the FY2019-2020 budget, for Behavioral Health Services to hire more buprenorphine clinicians beginning July 1, 2019.
F4
The 2016 California Marijuana Tax Fund (AB 1748) requires that a portion of taxes paid be used for youth drug abuse treatment programs.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The BOS should consider requesting the Alcohol and Other Drugs Services (AODS) division of Behavioral Health Services to use funds available under the California Marijuana Tax Fund legislation (AB 1748) for in-county adolescent outpatient and residential inpatient treatment.
F5
The demands for programs addressing high-school drug abuse throughout the County exceed the resources available.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Contra Costa County Office of Education should consider seeking funds, in the FY2019-2020 budget, to provide free NARCAN kits in all County school districts.
F6
The demand for programs throughout the county to educate high school students and their parents on overdose prevention, the dangers of opioid use, and responses to overdoses exceed the available supply.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The BOS should consider seeking funds, in the FY2019-2020 budget, for Behavioral Health Services to develop a plan to increase clinical treatment of substance use disorders in the three detention facilities.
F7
There are no in-County adolescent residential treatment facilities. Youth requiring residential treatment are directed to seek care outside the County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The BOS should consider seeking funds, in the FY2019-2020 budget, for Behavioral Health Services to develop and deliver educational campaigns to improve public awareness of the County’s opioid addiction crisis and available treatment options, starting July 1, 2019.
F8
Stigma of drug addiction is a barrier to treatment, and presents barriers to providing more in-County recovery facilities.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
The BOS should consider seeking funds, in the FY2019-2020 budget, for Behavioral Health Services to use multiple modes of communication such as news media, social media, community TV/Radio, and billboards, with a positive message to help alleviate the stigma of OUD, starting July 1, 2019.
F9
For incarcerated opioid addicts, there are staffing gaps in the detention facilities during the week for intake screening, withdrawal management, and clinical treatment.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The majority of those who abuse opioid prescription medications do not get them from the street. Instead, they obtain these from the homes of family and friends. The danger is exacerbated by the lack of sufficient public awareness.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
In a 2018 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) study of patients seeking medical care and entering a rehabilitation intake center, the average wait time to enter a treatment program after initial contact with a provider was 42 days. Only about a third received an appointment within 24 hours.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Among the County’s estimated 54,000 persons with opioid use disorder, fewer than 10% can be treated long-term, given current care capacity.
No recommendations for this finding