DC Department of Behavioral Health

Client: DC Department of Behavioral Health
Project: LIVE. LONG. DC., the District’s Strategic Plan to Reduce Opioid Use, Misuse, and Related Deaths
Period of Performance: October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021
Project Cost: $
Contact: Dr. Gail Holness

Scope of Work:
Purpose: Of LIVE. LONG. DC. is to implement prevention strategies including hosting conversations on opioid awareness and workshops to understand the signs and symptoms of opioid use disorder (OUD), promoting a Day of Recovery, discussing treatment and recovery services, and training community members on naloxone.

BACKGROUND
The DCOR project is focused on increasing access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), reducing unmet treatment needs, and reducing opioid overdose related deaths in the District through the provision of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services (RSS) to individuals with OUD.

LIVE. LONG. DC., the District’s Strategic Plan to Reduce Opioid Use, Misuse, and Related Deaths, will continue to build the city-wide effort to ensure equitable and timely access to high-quality SUD treatment and RSS through a network of treatment services that are adequate to meet demand consistent with the criteria of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM); educate District residents and key stakeholders on the risk of OUD and effective prevention and treatment; engage health professionals and organizations in the prevention and early intervention of SUD among District residents; support the awareness and availability of, and access to, harm reduction services in the District consistent with evolving best and promising practices; develop and implement a shared vision between the District’s justice and public health agencies to address the needs of individuals who come in contact with the criminal justice system; and prepare for program sustainability through evaluation, planning, and performance monitoring and training.

This work represents an essential component of the work the District is doing through LIVE. LONG. DC. Specifically, Goal 2 in LIVE. LONG. DC. is to “Educate Washington, DC residents and key stakeholders on the risks of opioid use disorders and effective prevention and treatment options” and Strategy 2.3 is to “Conduct outreach and training in community settings (e.g., after-school programs, summer camps, churches, and community centers) to engage youth, parents, educators, school staff, and childcare providers on ways to effectively communicate regarding substance use disorder and engage/ support those impacted.”