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<br /> <br />2 March 30, 2023 <br />districts in Cass County have Narcan. Hundreds of other organizations have also received training and <br />Narcan, and any organization or individual in Cass County can receive both for free. Naloxone is also <br />distributed at the Harm Reduction Center in downtown Fargo. Most individuals receiving naloxone at <br />the Harm Reduction Center are participants in the Syringe Services Program. <br />A stigma-reduction campaign for Syringe Services Programs (SSP) yielded 136 social media posts <br />reaching 35,244. Nine presentations reaching 233 individuals educated about SSPs. <br />FCPH’s SSP had 5,798 visits serving 976 individuals, including 368 new enrollees. Program participants <br />received referrals, education, and supplies. Referrals were given for substance use disorder treatment, <br />healthcare, opioid use disorder medication providers, behavioral health services, social services, shelter, <br />food pantries, and more. Onsite testing and education for HIV and hepatitis C were provided, as well as <br />education on harm reduction, safer sex, proper sharps disposal, and opioid overdose response and <br />naloxone administration. The program supplied safer injection and safer sex supplies, naloxone, fentanyl <br />testing strips, sharps disposal containers, and COVID-19 at-home tests. A total of 5,585 doses of <br />naloxone were provided. The past two years (2021-2022), a life was saved 920 times when an opioid <br />overdose was reversed using naloxone provided through this program. June thru September 2022, 770 <br />fentanyl testing strips were provided. This program is only partially funded thru the BHD grant, with the <br />City of Fargo covering the remaining costs. <br />To reduce barriers to treatment, FCPH provided cab rides to the Opioid Treatment Program for patients <br />unable to afford transportation to onsite daily medication dosing. Hundreds of rides were provided each <br />month; an average of 7 individuals received rides monthly. <br />FCPH implemented the Opioid & Naloxone Education (ONE) Program in April. Through this program, <br />home health nurses screened patients with a prescription opioid and provide education, resources, and <br />support to ensure safe opioid use. April thru September 2022, 180 clients were screened, and 16 <br />medication lock boxes and 36 Deterra medication disposal bags were provided. Six patients received <br />opioid misuse and overdose prevention education, and Narcan. <br />In July 2022, FCPH implemented the Narcan Leave Behind Program with the Fargo and West Fargo Fire <br />Departments. At overdose scenes, firefighters leave Narcan with willing individuals, as well as links to <br />resources like Narcan training, treatment options, and requests for additional Narcan. <br />This current fiscal year- October 2022 thru September 2023- FCPH is continuing activities from the <br />previous fiscal year. There are currently three fulltime positions solely dedicated to opioid response <br />work, with several additional staff providing support ranging from a few hours per month to several <br />hours a week. <br />Opioid Settlement Funds Plan <br />FCPH proposes Opioid Settlement funds be used for the following mitigation plan: <br />1. Sponsor a community opioid response coalition beginning April 2023. <br />a. Provide staff to coordinate a community opioid response coalition. <br />b. Solicit and maintain membership from key community sectors. <br />c. Hold monthly coalition meetings. <br />d. Utilize coalition to advise/plan opioid response activities. <br /> <br />2. Distribute naloxone throughout the community and train on use, with a focus on high-risk <br />groups.