There is no one way to solve the opioid and behavioral health crises. And at the 2019 MACo Summer Conference session, “New Tools for Tracking and Treating Opioid and Mental Health Crises“, attendees learned just how much innovative mindsets can yield creative and effective solutions for tackling these complex, lingering issues.
Jeff Beeson, Deputy Director, Management Coordination, Washington/Baltimore HIDTA discussed how ODMAP helps federal, state and local governments collect and visualize fatal and nonfatal overdose data. He shared how the tool helps public safety, health, and other governmental officials pinpoint spikes and track local and regional trends to better target initiatives and resources for addressing the crisis.
Adrienne Breidenstine, Vice President, Policy and Communications, Behavioral Health System Baltimore presented on the Maryland Crisis Stabilization Center located in Baltimore City. It’s the state’s first 24/7 center. The pilot program provides a 24/7 crisis call center, centrally deployed mobile crisis services, short-term, sub-acute residential crisis stabilization services, community-based walk-in services, and essential crisis care principles and practices.
Glenn Fueston, Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) presented on the “Handle With Care” program. The statewide program creates a process for first responders to alert and work with school systems in cases where a child may have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event or ACES (adverse childhood experience). Handle With Care, which started in West Virginia, now has 11 counties, 451 schools, 1,310 students participating.
Harriet Smith, Executive Director, Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition discussed the foundations and framework of harm reduction programs which strive to reduce the negative consequences related to drug use. One such potential program discussed was the development of safe consumption spaces.
The panel was moderated by Senator Antonio Hayes and held on Friday, August 16, 2019.
Save the dates:
- MACo Winter Conference – December 4-6, 2019 (theme and registration details coming soon!)
- MACo Summer Conference – August 19-22, 2020
