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Barnstable County Regional Substance Addiction Council (RSAC) monthly E-newsletter is a tether of communication across towns, providers, organizations, and individuals on Cape Cod providing information on substance use across the continuum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. | |
UPCOMING COMMUNITY FORUMS: CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BASELINE NEEDS ASSESSMENT | |
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The Barnstable County Department of Human Services is conducting a Children's Behavioral Health Baseline Needs Assessment focusing on behavioral health needs and services for children and youth (0-21 years). The Assessment includes four community forums, conveniently located in four sub-regions of Barnstable County, that offer an opportunity to engage, contribute, and be a part of this crucial assessment. The forums are hybrid and can be attended virtually via Zoom or in person.
Barnstable County residents are encouraged to engage with the assessment process, provide their input, and share their experiences regarding the behavioral health needs of our youth and young adults.
Event times and locations are as follows:
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SHORT NOTICE! Outer Cape Forum: Monday, October 16 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Truro Community Center, 7 Standish Way, North Truro REGISTER OUTER CAPE >>>
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Lower Cape Forum: Wednesday, October 25 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Cape Cod Technical High School, 351 Pleasant Lake Ave., Harwich REGISTER LOWER CAPE >>>
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Mid Cape Forum: Thursday, October 26 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | The Family Collaborative, 1338 Route 28, South Yarmouth REGISTER MID CAPE >>>
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Upper Cape Forum: Monday, November 6 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Mashpee Wampanoag Community/Govt. Center, 483 Great Neck Road, S. Mashpee REGISTER UPPER CAPE >>>
Registration is required to receive a Zoom link. Those attending in-person are also encouraged to register. While childcare is not provided, children are welcome to attend. Food and refreshments will be provided for in-person attendees. For more information, please contact Mandi Speakman at mandi.speakman@capecod.gov.
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VIRTUAL TRAINING: CHEMSEX 101 | |
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In this interactive session, Chemsex and substance use within the queer community will be contextualized using epidemiology and syndemic theory. Principles of motivational interviewing and healing-centered care will be applied to engaging and affirming people who participate in Chemsex. Common Chemsex substances will be reviewed, myths and truths discussed, and general and substance-specific harm reduction/safety interventions will be learned and practiced. The session will conclude with policy and advocacy work needed to support people who participate in Chemsex.
The facilitator for this session is Jona Tanguay, MMSc, PA-C, AAHIVS (they/them). They are Leader of Medical Substance Use Disorder Programs at Whitman-Walker Health in Washington DC where they also practice as a clinician. They are a passionate harm reductionist and educator. Jona is the Vice President for Education at GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality, a Clinical Instructor at Yale School of Medicine, and the founder of ChemsexHarmReduction.org, an informational resource for patients and medical providers.
This training takes place on October 27, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET. Please direct questions to Taylor at edelmann@harmreduction.org.
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SAVE THE DATE: GLOBAL HARM REDUCTION AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION STRATEGIES AND INNOVATION - UPDATES FOR 2023 | |
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Dr. Alex Walley has been the BSAS Medical Director for the Massachusetts Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND)program since 2007. From July 2022 – June2023, Dr. Walley took a sabbatical to learn from harm reduction programs around the world. This presentation will cover where Dr. Walley went and what he learned about harm reduction and overdose prevention strategies and innovations.
Who’s invited? - MA harm reduction programs, DPH staff, and friends. Feel free to share this event with your local network.
DETAILS
When: November 13th, 2023, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM via Zoom
Presenter: Dr. Alex Walley (BSAS Harm Reduction Medical Director)
ZOOM Link: https://jsi.zoom.us/j/97079621621?pwd=bVdZa21BVlhxOXN3dTZ3UzM5b2swZz09#success
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BLOG: PARTNERS IN PREVENTION |  | |
In October, we observe Youth Substance Use Prevention Month and Substance Misuse Prevention Month. As we kick off Prevention Month, let’s take a moment to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished together, as well as recommit ourselves to the important work that lies ahead. Everyone has a role to play in prevention.
Prevention of Substance Misuse ― Where We Are and What Lies Ahead
The substance use landscape continues to evolve with the ongoing spread of highly potent synthetic opioids (like illicit fentanyl) in counterfeit pills and the re-emergence of stimulants like methamphetamine. At the same time, we see changing state policies related to alcohol, marijuana, and hallucinogens. Vaping and tobacco products remain readily accessible to young people in many communities. And we continue to learn about the perils and potentials of social media. All of this is happening against the backdrop of rising mental health challenges, especially among young people, that are inextricably linked to substance use.
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FREE ONGOING WEEKLY GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS | |
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This weekly group will be held in the morning and includes movement and yoga for the whole family. Each week there will be discussion about a different healthy living or self-care topic. A healthy snack or breakfast will be included with an overview of the nutritional benefits. This group will start in October of 2023 and continue through June of 2024. The purpose of this group is to help support caregivers through movement, healthy living, and nutrition.
WHO: BFREE WELLNESS, INC
WHAT: Free, ongoing weekly group for caregivers to promote self-care & healthy living, nutrition, movement & mindfulness
WHERE: BFREE WELLNESS, INC, 1338 Route 28 South Yarmouth, MA 02664
WHEN: Starts Tuesday October 24th, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Kids are always welcomed!
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SAMHSA RELEASES NEW DATA ON RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES | | | |
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today released Recovery from Substance Use and Mental Health Problems Among Adults in the United States (PDF | 439 KB), a new report that provides data on the adults in recovery from their substance use and/or mental health problem and provides policy recommendations identified as supporting recovery.
Using data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), this report shows that 70 million adults aged 18 or older perceived that they ever had a substance use and/or mental health problem. For substance use specifically, of the 29.0 million adults who perceived that they ever had a substance use problem, 72.2% (or 20.9 million) considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered from their drug or alcohol use problem. For mental health, of the 58.7 million adults who perceived they ever had a mental health problem, 66.5% (or 38.8 million) considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered from their mental health problem.
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ATTENTION: IN PERSON FORUM ON SUBSTANCE ADDICTION AND HARM REDUCTION | |
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Please join Congressman Bill Keating as he convenes a conversation about the substance addiction crisis in the Commonwealth and beyond. We will hear from law enforcement, clergy and the many agencies and organizations working to reduce negative outcomes from these harmful substances.
Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and representatives from PAARI, Plymouth County Outreach, Seven Hills and Child & Family Services will join us for this forum which will include an interactive question and answer session.
DETAILS
A light lunch will be served at the Marketplace at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Please visit keating.house.gov/oct27 or call (508) 746-9000 to reserve a seat.
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ESSENTIALS OF TREATING STIMULANT USE DISORDER | |
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This three-hour course is designed to be a guide for addiction providers interested in providing and caring for people who use stimulants, namely cocaine and methamphetamines. Topics include neurobiology and physiology of addiction; identifying health risks of stimulant use; practical application of evidence-based treatment for patients who use stimulants in an office-based addiction treatment setting; management of overamping and acute stimulant intoxication; and harm reduction interventions.
Intended Audience: Medical providers, nurses, social workers, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC), Certified Alcohol/Drug Counselors (CADC), Community Health Workers (CHW), recovery coaches, counselors, Licensed Mental health Counselors (LMHC), and others treating individuals with addiction are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Continuing education (3.00): CME, Nursing w/ 0.25 hours of Pharmacology, Social Work, LMHC, LADC/CADC, Recovery Coach
Tuesday, October 17th, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
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TREATMENT RESOURCE: NATIONAL COALITION TO LIBERATE METHADONE | |
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Methadone saves lives, but outdated and punitive methadone policies cause harm. As the overdose crisis continues to ravage our families and communities, it is time for a change. The National Coalition to Liberate Methadone (NCLM) advocates for a more accessible and equitable methadone system that prioritizes patient health, promotes dignity, and is grounded in evidence.
Founded in 2022, the National Coalition to Liberate Methadone is a national organization made up of over a hundred people, including people with lived or living experience on methadone, advocates, addiction medicine clinicians, and substance use researchers across several U.S. states. NCLM members are active participants, providers, evaluators and clinical leaders of OTP clinics across the country, giving them deep expertise and commitment to improving the health of people on methadone.
NCLM supports efforts to expand methadone treatment access for all individuals with opioid use disorder, as methadone has several decades of evidence supporting its efficacy in reducing morbidity and mortality and improving quality of life and treatment retention.
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REFLECTING ON GRIEF & LOSS - A GROUNDED WORKSHOP FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS | |
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Learn to support staff and community members to process grief and loss by booking a full day in-person workshop, designed for groups of 10-25 people.
Workshop Objectives
- Define grief and loss.
- Understand how to use the Support After a Death by Overdose (SAD O.D.) tool: Relate, Invite, Validate, Empower, Reassure (RIVER) in a supportive conversation with a grieving person.
- Understand the meaning and importance of collective grief and its expression.
- Critically examine the reasons why certain events do or do not prompt expressions of collective grief.
- Name 3-4 organizational policies to support clients, staff, and community in times of grief.
- Practice somatic exercises as a tool to process and move through grief and loss.
Questions? Contact Michael Leonard at mleonard@hria.org or call (443) 610-2616.
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NEW GUIDES AVAILABLE TO HELP COMMUNITIES RESPOND TO THE OPIOID OVERDOSE CRISIS | |
NEW GRAYKEN VIDEO: REFRAMING AND RESPONDING TO PROTECTIVE BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH STIMULANT USE | |
Grayken Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) released the 4th video in their Animated Explainer Videos Series. This 3-minute video describes protective behaviors that are common among people misusing stimulants and offers trauma-informed, person-centered responses. Written by Justin Alves, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, ACRN, CARN, CNE and Alexa Wilder, MPH. | |
2023 MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA BACK-TO-SCHOOL TOOLKIT | |
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The 2023 Mental Health America (MHA) Back-to-School toolkit focuses on an area that MHA has seen be a key driver of youth mental health concerns: social media and online activity. The toolkit, "Selfies, Social, & Screens: Navigating Virtual Spaces for Youth," provides educational information and tips on how to tackle some of the most common online stressors for youth, like social comparison, body image, misinformation, and cyberbullying.
Inside the toolkit you’ll find:
- Fact sheets and tips for youth
- Fact sheets and tips for adults
- Key messages
- A sample drop-in article
- Sample social media posts and images
- Posters
- A guide to national and local resources
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FOOD ACCESS CAPE COD
Be sure to download our Cape & Islands Food Access Resource Guide! This publication is updated regularly by the Barnstable County Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and contains all the information you need for food accessibility.
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ARE YOU REPRESENTED ON OUR NETWORK OF CARE SERVICE DIRECTORY WEBSITE? | |
The Barnstable County Department of Human Services’ Network of Care (NOC) SERVICE DIRECTORY website, is a robust local health and human services directory with resources for individuals, families, and agencies on Cape Cod with public health questions and concerns.
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