The Future of Opioid Abatement Efforts in Orange County
By: Ashley Jacobs, Management Analyst, Orange County Administration
Realizing the impact of the opioid crisis in the Orange Community, a cross section of community leaders and citizens came together in 2018 to form the Epidemic Intelligence Council (EpIC), under the direction of Orange County Social Services Director, Crystal Hale. The Council worked together to create an opportunity for information sharing, education, collaboration, and to document available resources/identify needed resources to address the opioid crisis locally.
In 2021, the Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) was established by the Virginia General Assembly to serve as an independent entity to abate and remediate the opioid epidemic in the Commonwealth. Through the OAA, announcements were made that financial assistance would be provided to localities in the form of settlement funds paid to Virginia by prescription opioid manufacturers and companies in the prescription opioid distribution network. Following a pandemic - related lull in meeting frequency and together with announcements from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority regarding available funding, Social Services Director, Crystal Hale, and County Administrator, Ted Voorhees, reconvened EpIC to redefine its mission and continue its important work to combat the impact of opioid use/misuse. With the help of Zelos, a dynamic Virginia - based company offering facilitation expertise and strategic planning methodology to local governments, EpIC members were engaged and reconvened in person in February 2024. Since February, the EpIC Membership has completed mission and vision work and confirmed its commitment to collaboratively address substance misuse in Orange County by strategically using resources to initiate action, including education, addressing root causes of addiction, identifying resources, and supporting sustainable recovery. In the coming months, the EpIC membership will complete an asset mapping exercise, evaluate gaps in services/resources, and formulate a plan to present to the Orange County Board of Supervisors for their consideration. The proposed plan will include a multi - year recommendation for use of the settlement funds issued through the Opioid Abatement Authority with a focus on providing services directly to Orange County residents. The Epidemic Intelligence Council has a vision for Orange County to be a thriving and resilient community, free from the impact of substance misuse. EpIC aspires to be a beacon of health, promoting overall wellness and empowering individuals on their journey toward recovery. If you would like more information on the work of EpIC or the County ’ s local opioid abatement funding, please contact staff members Ashley Jacobs, Management Analyst, at ajacobs@orangecountyva.gov, or Chris Votaw, Investigator, at cvotaw@orangecountyva.gov.
Page 9 | May 2024
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