Barnstable County Regional Substance
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From the White House

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ISSUE: 037

November 13, 2015

Welcome to the e-Newsletter from Barnstable County Regional Substance Abuse Council. This newsletter is designed to provide timely information on substance abuse and other related topics for people living and working in Barnstable County.

This publication will be sent out periodically to our mailing list. Please forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues who may be interested in this information. If you are not on our mailing list, you can join by clicking on the button to the left.

If you have information you would like included in future e-newsletters, please follow the submission instructions outlined at the bottom of this page.

FROM THE STATE HOUSE

Update to the Governor's Action Plan

In June of this year, Governor Baker's Opioid Task force released their recommendations for the state. This week, they have released an update of the work done so far in their action plan. See the update at the Stop Addiction website, here.

New Legislation Update from MOAR

S2022: An Act Relative to Substance Use Prevention

S2022 has many provisions speaking to the opioid epidemic and related concerns in Massachusetts, including:

expands the Good Samaritan Law by addressing civil liability and police training
allows patients to have more of a voice in their treatment of pain,
increases the use of the Prescription Monitoring Program
requires drug manufactures to contribute to Drug Take Back Days
reviews alternatives to opioid medications,
provides for more clarification on policies from insurance companies

Just filed: An Act Relative to Substance Use Treatment, Education, and Prevention

New legislation from Governor Baker, including provisions to provide medical personnel with the power to intervene with patients suffering from addiction, control the spread of addictive prescription opioids and increase education about substance use disorder (SUD) for providers and in the community.

Learn more about the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery

FROM THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY

President Obama Hosts Forum on the Nation's Heroin and Prescription Drug Epidemic

On Wednesday, October 21, President Obama hosted a community forum in Charleston, West Virginia, on the Nation's prescription drug abuse and heroin epidemic.

As part of the Administration's commitment, the President issued a Memorandum to Federal Departments and Agencies requiring training for Federal prescribers and reports on reducing barriers to drug treatment. He also announced a variety of Federal, state, local, and private sector commitments to reduce prescription drug misuse, heroin use, and drug overdoses.

Among the commitments were those by more than 40 provider groups - representing doctors, dentists, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, and educators -- that over 540,000 health care providers will complete opioid prescriber training in the next two years.

To see a full of list of Federal, state, local, and private sector commitments, click here.

To read the President's Memorandum to Federal Departments and Agencies, click here.

Available now: Webinar and evidence-based resources for parents to prevent substance use

As part of October's National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, ONDCP recently held a webinar on evidence-based strategies to help parents and caregivers prevent substance use among young people.

Director Botticelli kicked off the webinar and was followed by keynote speaker Dr. Wilson Compton, Deputy Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Dr. Compton reviewed the many factors that lead to drug use and substance use disorders, how prevention interventions work, and current and emerging drug use issues that require creative and immediate responses.

Afterward, panelists interacted in a question-and-answer session, and Mary Lou Leary, ONDCP's Deputy Director for State, Local, and Tribal Affairs, provided closing remarks, emphasizing the importance for parents of evidence-based strategies to prevent substance use.

To view "A Parents Webinar: Evidence-Based Strategies to Prevent Substance Use," click here.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Sustainability and Resource Planning
Thursday, November 19th
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
West Boylston, MA

Topics: ABC's of Sustainability Planning, role of stakeholders, use of sustainability template tool.
Audience: Coalition leaders and partners planning or in the process of implementing community health initiatives, including policy and systems change.

More information and registration here.

Building Coalition Capacity & Infrastructure
Thursday, November 19th
1:00 - 4:00 PM
West Boylston, MA

Topics: Organizational structure/governance; roles/responsibilities; decision-making structures; conflict resolution; membership recruitment, engagement, and retention, facilitation.
Audience: Coalition leaders and members, teams, and partners working towards community health.
More information and registration here.

US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

The Department of Health and Human Services launched a website focused on increasing education about opioid misuse and providing resources for communities.

HHS.gov/Opioids is a one-stop Federal resource offering tools and information for patients, families, and friends; health professionals; law enforcement; and other stakeholders about prescription drug abuse and heroin use prevention, treatment & recovery, and overdose response.

FROM SAMHSA

New Pocket Guide: Medication for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

SAMHSA is pleased to announce the release of a new pocket guide for health professionals, Medication for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder.

This pocket guide offers:

A checklist for prescribing medication
Approved medications for use in the treatment of alcohol use disorder
Standard drink sizes/amounts and recommended limits.

Medications are underused in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. SAMHSA created this pocket guide to help address this issue.

Download or order your copy here.

LOCAL EVENTS

FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

Nominate a White House Champion of Change for Advancing Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery

The White House is seeking your help to identify people who have made an extraordinary difference by advancing prevention, treatment and recovery.

Last week, the President traveled to West Virginia to host a community conversation with health care professionals, law enforcement officers, community leaders, individuals, and families affected by the epidemic of prescription drug abuse and heroin use.

Prescription drug abuse and heroin use have taken a heartbreaking toll on too many Americans and their families, while straining law enforcement and treatment programs. Read more ...

NEWS FROM THE BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNCIL

Barnstable County Commissioners Appoint Co-Chairs to Regional Substance Abuse Council

The Barnstable County Commissioners recently appointed three individuals to serve as co-chairs of the Barnstable County Regional Substance Abuse Council. The Commissioners appointed Beth Albert, Director of the Barnstable County Department of Human Services, Cheryl Bartlett, Executive Director of the Office of Community Health at Cape Cod Healthcare, and Ray Tamasi, CEO and President of Gosnold on Cape Cod to co-chair the Regional Council.

Formed in 2014, the Barnstable County Regional Substance Abuse Council brings together a diverse group of over thirty five stakeholders including town representatives, healthcare, elected officials, people in recovery, law enforcement, treatment providers, health centers, employers, town coalitions, faith community, and others.

County Commissioner Sheila Lyons, who convenes the Regional Substance Abuse Council, said "Barnstable County realizes the importance of public-private partnerships that support a coordinated effort to leverage resources to plan and implement a regional action plan to address substance use . Over the last 18 months, using a public health planning process, we have been working closely with key stakeholders, towns, and groups across Cape Cod in creating a regional action plan. The combined skills and assets that we bring to bear as a regional partnership will reduce the magnitude and severity of harm related to substance use on Cape Cod."

In March 2015 the Regional Substance Abuse Council released a Baseline Assessment of the Impact of Substance Use on Cape Cod. A Regional Action Plan was adopted in August 2015 and work is underway to implement that plan. Barnstable County has also received two grants from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to work with towns to address the opioid epidemic and to work with several school districts on substance abuse prevention initiatives.

Visit www.BCHumanServices.net for more information about the RSAC, a list of RSAC Representatives, and to download a copy of the Baseline Assessment and Regional Action Plan.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNCIL

The next meeting of the Barnstable County Regional Substance Abuse Council is scheduled for:

Thursday, December 3, 2015 - 4:00 - 5:30 PM

Harborview Conference Room in the Barnstable County Complex, 3195 Main Street, Barnstable Village

These meetings are open to the public. Meeting agendas are posted publicly on the Barnstable County website, in front of the Barnstable Superior Courthouse, and are available upon request.

E-NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
Did you know that a full archive of the previous editions of this e-Newsletter are available on the Barnstable County Human Services Department website? View past editions of the Regional Substance Abuse Council e-Newsletter and the Human Services Department e-Newsletter at www.bchumanservices.net and click on "E-Newsletter".

MUTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS

For a downloadable PDF version of the information listed below, please click here.

Learn to Cope
Learn to Cope is a support group for parents, family members, spouses, and caregivers who have a family member who is addicted to opiates, alcohol, or other drugs.

Learn to Cope offers experienced facilitators, resources, informational material, guest speakers (in long term recovery or professionals in the field), overdose education, and Narcan enrollment at all weekly meetings.

Weekly meetings are held on Tuesdays 7:00-8:30 PM at the Yarmouth Police Station, One Brad Erickson Way. For more information call (508) 738-5148 or visit their website.

Parents Supporting Parents

Parents Supporting Parents is a group of people who have come together as parents and family members coping and dealing with children/loved one's addiction.

Their mission is to support, strengthen, and educate one another as they share their lives. Their goal is to help their loved ones find and live in recovery, and for all members to live a healthy lifestyle.

Weekly meetings are held on Monday 6:30-8:30 PM at

Mashpee Chamber of Commerce,

5 Bates Road,

Mashpee, MA

02649. To learn more, view the Parents Supporting Parents Facebook page.

Mothers Helping Mothers
Mothers Helping Mothers is a support group for women struggling with the emotional difficulties associated with addiction and recovery during the pregnant and postpartum phases of life.

Free childcare is provided during the meetings by The Children's Study Home. Anyone planning on attending the meeting and needing childcare is asked to call ahead. All ages are welcome.

Weekly meetings are held every Tuesday 7:30-9:00 PM at the John Wesley Methodist Church in Falmouth at 270 Gifford Street and every Monday 5:30-7:00 PM at the Federated Church in Hyannis at 320 Main Street.

For more information, contact Deborah at (774) 392-0446 or Danielle at (508) 209-7533.

Alateen

Alateen is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers, whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking.

For more information, call 508-366-0556 or visit their website at www.capeteens.com.

Nar-Anon

Nar-Anon Family Groups is a twelve step fellowship that offers a recovery program for those affected by someone's addiction. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of addiction in a relative or friend.

Nar-Anon is adapted from Narcotics Anonymous and uses Nar-Anon's Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts.

Weekly meetings are held Friday nights 6:00-7:00 PM at St. David's Episcopal Church in South Yarmouth. For more information, visit the Nar-Anon website.

Gosnold Family Support Groups

The Gosnold Reaching Out program is a resource for family members and loved ones affected by addiction. It assists the family at all stages of addiction through education, intervention, and support.

Information and Education Forums help family members gain a basic understanding of the signs and symptoms of addiction, treatment options, and stages of recovery. An educated and supportive family has a positive impact on treatment outcomes.

Tuesday 6:00-7:30 PM Gosnold Counseling Center 1185 Falmouth Road Centerville, MA 02632	Wednesday 6:00-7:30 PM Gus Canty Community Center 790 Main Street Falmouth, MA 02540
Sunday 11:00-12:30 PM Scituate Senior Center 27 Brook Street Scituate, MA 02066	Sunday 4:00-5:00 PM (Educational Group) Falmouth Hospital - Faxon Center 100 Ter Heun Drive Falmouth, MA 02540
Monday 6:00-7:30 PM Harwich Police Department 183 Sisson Road Harwich, MA 02645	Wednesday 6:00-7:30 PM (Grief and Addiction) Gosnold Counseling Center 1185 Falmouth Road Centerville, MA 02632

For more information, contact Mary Fisher, 844-558-4357, mfisher@gosnold.org.

Other Resources

Al-Anon - The primary purpose of Al-Anon is to help families and friends of alcoholics. Members of Al-Anon learn to live happily whether the alcoholic continues to drink or not. We learn that alcoholism is a disease and that we are not alone.

Alcoholics Anonymous - Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem.

Narcotics Anonymous - NA is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to stop using.

MASSACHUSETTS SUBSTANCE ABUSE HELPLINE

For tens of thousands of Massachusetts resident struggling with alcohol and other drug related issues, (800) 327-5050 is an important number.

The Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Helpline provides free and confidential information and referrals for alcohol and other drug abuse problems and related concerns. The Helpline is committed to linking consumers with comprehensive, accurate, and current information about treatment and prevention services throughout Massachusetts.

Services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Language interpreters are always available.

For online service and more information, click here.

By visiting one easy-to-remember website address, HealthyConnectedCapeCod.org users can link to:

BCHumanServices.net - Our flagship website highlights community announcements, updates from our regional partners, and Department reports and publications
Behavioral Health Portal - Features mental health and substance abuse information, state and federal legislation, self-help guides, and a robust directory of services
Health and Wellness Portal - Provides an overview of health data about our region, including County health rankings, and model practices
Mass211 Service Directory - Links users to essential resources and a basic needs service directory
Human Services e-Newsletter - Spotlights regional events and pertinent news for our community

A healthy community is a connected community, so check out some of the information you'll be connected to on HealthyConnectedCapeCod.org today!

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E-NEWSLETTER ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS
To submit materials, please contact Samantha Kossow at SAC@barnstablecounty.org and include the following information: Descriptive Title Brief Description of the Content Relevant attachments, submitted in PDF or text format Website link if available Contact information of the person submitting the information the contact person for the event

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Posting of articles submitted for publication in the Barnstable County Regional Substance Abuse Council E-Newsletter is at the discretion of the Department. All articles must be submitted in text format to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request this newsletter in alternate formats, please call Kathie Callahan at (508) 375-6628 or TDD at (508) 362-5885.