MONTPELIER — The Opioid Coordination Council late last month released its progress report for 2017-2018. The report, “Strategic Actions and Progress,” is a summary of statewide actions to date, in response to the council’s recommended strategies issued in January 2018.
“The opioid crisis is one of the most complex challenges we have faced here in Vermont and across the nation,” said Gov. Scott. “Far too many people and their loved ones face the daily struggles and terrible toll that comes with opioid addiction. This report highlights the work of the council, in collaboration with many state and local partners, legislators and providers, to strengthen and advance a cohesive statewide system of supports for prevention, treatment, recovery and enforcement.”
The four-page report highlights programs and policy actions in areas of primary preventionin schools, intervention and treatment, recovery, enforcement and workforce development.
Drug Prevention Policy Director Jolinda LaClair said this progress report documents the path Vermont is taking to get people the treatment and wrap-around supports needed to sustain recovery, and to help people from starting down the road toward addiction in the first place.
“If we are going to permanently bend the curve on substance misuse and addiction, then a comprehensive system for prevention and recovery is key,” said LaClair. “Vermont has already taken the first important steps — from our Hub and Spoke treatment system that’s become a national model, to supporting schools with a substance use prevention coordinator, adopting rules governing prescriptions, and our opioid overdose and reversal program that’s provided first responders with 10,000 doses of naloxone and distributed over 25,000 rescue kits — helping to prevent more than 1,500 possible overdoses.”
“These are important steps forward even though progress on this issue is never enough,” said Governor Scott. “Prevention programs should reach into every community for every Vermont child and adult, as we work to keep Vermonters healthy and safe from substance use disorder.”
Find treatment and support information online at healthvermont.gov/alcohol-drugabuse/how-get-help/find-treatment.