04. Transfer of opioid litigation funds to the City of Fargo

1 March 30, 2023 Opioid Response Work Background, Opioid Settlement Funds Plan & Future Strategies Proposal Background Fargo Cass Public Health (FCPH) began opioid response work the summer of 2016. FCPH’s substance abuse prevention coordinator was assigned to this work 20 hours per week. A city commissioner, the public health director, and health officer were also very involved in leading the response. The City of Fargo provided $50,000 in general funds to address the opioid crisis locally, and has continued to dedicate $50,000 annually to FCPH for this purpose. In August 2017, FCPH received an opioid response grant from the North Dakota Department of Human Services, Behavioral Health Division (BHD). FCPH has received varying amounts of opioid response funds from BHD ever since. In November 2017, FCPH placed Narcan in all Cass county schools and provided training to school staff. In March 2018, FCPH hosted the region’s first public opioid overdose response and naloxone administration training. In April 2018, FCPH hosted the region’s first peer recovery coach training, and opened the Harm Reduction Center. These are just a few of many early successes in FCPH’s opioid response. FCPH has been a leader in opioid response and has provided presentations, training, and technical assistance to programs throughout the country. During the grant’s most recent fiscal year- October 2021 thru September 2022- FCPH promoted prevention and anti-stigma campaigns, reduced access to prescription drugs, provided opioid overdose response and naloxone administration training, distributed naloxone, reduced barriers to treatment, operated a syringe services program, and implemented the Narcan Leave Behind Program and the ONE Program. FCPH promoted the substance use prevention program ParentsLead.org by creating 121 social media posts reaching 20,525, participating in two booths and one news conference, and distributing 1,079 promotional materials. An overdose prevention campaign resulted in 130 social media posts reaching 55,635, 13 news stories, production of a video, and numerous International Overdose Awareness Day activities. A substance use disorder stigma-reduction campaign produced 58 social media posts reaching 13,809. FCPH reduced access to prescription opioids by creating 67 medication disposal education social media posts reaching 12,520, participating in two booths at community events, and distributing 710 Deterra medication disposal bags. FCPH conducted 63 opioid overdose response trainings, resulting in 743 individuals trained. A total of 3,797 naloxone kits with 7,594 doses were distributed. There were 1,076 reported doses of naloxone administered resulting in 553 opioid overdose reversals using naloxone from FCPH. Nasal Narcan, a form of naloxone, is provided by FCPH to first responders including the Fargo, West Fargo, and NDSU Police Departments, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fargo and West Fargo Fire Departments. Public libraries and municipal buildings in Fargo and West Fargo, and all school