County Opioid Abuse Suppression Taskforce (COAST)
As a response to the Opioid crisis, VCBH has prioritized increased access to care for opioid users. In October of 2018, VCBH was awarded a federal grant, that in collaboration with multiple agencies, including Public Health, Emergency Medical Services, Ambulatory Care, Sheriff’s Office and the Medical Examiner’s Office, has allowed for more innovative ways to address the crisis. One of the grant deliverables was to create this dashboard for the community, in addition to tracking the nature and extent of the crisis locally, as well as providing more services to the public, especially those with an opioid use disorder.
COAST DATA DASHBOARD LAUNCH
On September 1st, The Ventura County Behavioral Health Department (VCBH) launched a public-facing data dashboard that provides the community with important statistics around opioid-involved drug use. The public can access this user-friendly dashboard by visiting www.venturacountyresponds.org.
Dr. Loretta Denering, Chief for the County’s Substance Use Services Division said the new dashboard will be a valuable resource to county residents. “Local trends and resources, including addiction treatment locations, prescription drug drop-off locations, and overdose prevention strategies are featured”. She also noted, “until now, there has never been a one-stop site”.
VCBH provides a continuum of care for substance use and addiction problems, with six locations and access to a range of treatment services for achieving and maintaining recovery.
“Getting help for addiction starts with taking fifteen minutes to call the Access Line, or visiting our dashboard” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, the Department Director. “We want people to know how to respond to an overdose, and additionally get to the help they need.”
If you believe you or a family member may be struggling with addiction, talk to your healthcare provider or call the confidential 24/7 Access Line: 1-844-385-9200.
Learn more: www.vcbh.org/en/programs-services/substance-use-services
To visit the dashboard: www.coastventuracounty.org
Ventura County Rx Abuse & Heroin Workgroup
The Ventura County Rx Abuse & Heroin Workgroup was launched in early 2012 to develop a targeted, local response to the escalating opioid epidemic, part of a nationwide crisis that crosses boundaries and demographics. Opioids have been the most widely-prescribed painkillers for many years, while heroin is an illegal street opioid that is lower cost for a comparable high. Both are extremely addictive, driving the transition for many prescription opioid abusers to the cheaper, more readily available heroin.
Ventura County’s opioid abuse response can be meaningfully focused through a supply-and-demand model first suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and tailored for our local conditions and needs. Reducing the supply of opioids while also decreasing the demand for them, will lead to a greater possibility of improving and saving lives.
Mission:
Save and improve lives by stopping prescription drug and heroin abuse.
Primary Goal:
Decrease fatal opioid overdoses by 50% in Ventura County, compared to 2013 baseline of 98 deaths.
See current data at the COAST Opioid Data Dashboard.
PARTNERSHIP AGENCIES:
- Aegis Treatment Centers
- Community Memorial Health System
- Gold Coast Health Plan
- Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center
- Resource Management Agency
- Ventura County Behavioral Health – Substance Use Services Division
- Ventura County Behavioral Health Advisory Board
- Ventura County Health Care Agency
- Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit
- Ventura County Medical Center
- Ventura County Medical Examiner Office
- Ventura County Office of Education
- Ventura County Probation Agency
- Ventura County Public Health
- Ventura County Public Health – Emergency Medical Services
- Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
