LAKEPORT—Lake County Behavioral Health Department provided the Board of Supervisors with a multi-agency engagement, offered an update with an ongoing battle over the opioid crisis including fentanyl use, on Tuesday in the board chambers.
Behavioral Health Director Elise Jones partnering with the county Administration Office, informed the board, changes are coalescing in a coordinated response that advocates alternatives to incarceration. Agencies included the Probation Department, Tribal based partners and others riveted by recent overdoses, some involving fentanyl (adulterating less potent chemical cocktails) resulting in deaths, which still waits a coroner’s confirmation. In a prior week press release, Jones put forth a path exploring a robust community outreach.
“In order to prevent unnecessary death of our youth we’ve talked about the barriers that historically prevented us from coming together,” she said. “But our discussions are focused on solutions and forward momentum.”
Major drug companies: Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen and McKesson — were accused by states, cities and counties of playing a significant role in funneling a flood of opioid painkillers to communities across the U.S. The drugs led to the overdose deaths of more than 500,000 people from 2009 to 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, Johnson and Johnson will pay up to $5 billion over nine years, with up to $3.7 billion paid during the first three years. The aggregate amount will combine for a total of $26 billion over 18 years in a case settled by the U.S. Department of Justice. “Lake County will receive $1.44 million and we anticipate bringing a contract to the board early next year for a consultant to help the county to support the development of an opioid settlement fund,” said Jones. “We’re looking to expand not only substance use disorder services but make the community aware of other services and support.”
Board Chair Jessica Pyska noted in addition to behavioral health, the county looks to draw input from public health, Probation Department, District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office. “We want to open up the conversation, report out meetings, get the board’s direction and move this forward,” she said.
Jones added that Dr. Noemi Doohan, health officer is looking into issuing health alerts and advising Behavioral Health with the distribution of life-saving medications. Sarah Weber, Overdose Prevention Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA, works with SafeRx Lake County through the California Overdose Prevention Network and assists Jones at Behavioral Health to build capacity and coalitions. “What I’ve been focusing on is distribution of Narcan to anyone over 12, based on public health officers, Health Alert, released just a few weeks ago,” she said.
Chief Probation Officer Wendy Mondfrans, noted her department addresses youth substance use through a range of programs, including their full WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plans). The program is designed to manage mental health and maintain wellness. This provides a step-by-step process for identifying crisis triggers, develops coping strategies and creates support networks and runs up to 18 months. “We can also refer clients to individual therapists and Redwood Community Services, has some treatment providers” she said.
Jones praised recent progress dealing with mental health. She cited the SUDS (Substance Use Diversion and Support) program that can be a great treatment program for youth that can measure a scale of distress or nervousness in people with social anxiety, as well as with programs to treat alcohol or drug abuse and therefore avoid criminal justice involvement. “So, the programs are not specific to substance abuse, it is teen mental health first-aid,” she said. “Teens learn about signs of mental illness and can better assist friends. So. I agree, peer-led is (the) best overarching theme.”
Mondfrons also pointed out three School Resource Officers conduct one-on-one discussions regarding substance abuse and if a school identifies an individual with a history of chronic use they can be referred to one their programs.
Healthy Start Youth and Family Services is another statewide initiative placing comprehensive support services for children and families at individual school sites. It gives schools, in partnership with public and private service providers (RCS), opportunity to better meet the needs of children and families. It offers a wide variety of services that focus on supporting academic success, and building personal strengths for children, youth and families. The aim is to assist students so, they can come to school ready to learn.
“SROs are teaching in all 5th grade classes on tobacco and vaping, starting the next couple of weeks,” said Mondfrons. “And Behavioral Health has an outreach team at the high schools teaching various topics usually in the 9th and 10th grades.
Pyska reminded the board their task for the day was to provide staff direction and to partner agencies present and not hammer out a plan but bring back the issue to finalize it as the remainder of the board concurred.
