The Prince William Health District (PWHD) recently unveiled the findings of its comprehensive opioid needs assessment, highlighting strategies to address the ongoing opioid crisis in Prince William County, Virginia. The 10-month community-based study, funded by the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Community Engagement grant, gathered insights from diverse populations, including the Latino community, adolescents, and individuals in active drug use and recovery.
Key findings include:
- **454 OUD deaths** from 2018 to 2023.
- **Doubling** of nonfatal opioid-related overdoses since 2017.
- **Increased overdoses** among 20-24-year-olds, adolescent females, and Black and Latino adults.
The assessment identified three top needs:
1. **Addressing stigma** to improve access to care and services.
2. **Establishing peer recovery specialist services** to enhance knowledge and access.
3. **Implementing a multifaceted, cross-systems approach** to address co-occurring disorders.
PWHD will engage communities in specific opioid prevention strategies, focusing on education, equitable access to care, improved communication, and cross-systems collaboration. This initiative aims to break down barriers and ensure that everyone can access the help they need.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
