Taskforce Framework

Reduce Access to Drugs

• Expand RxBox and other drug take back programs.
  • Provide community education on importance of disposing medications properly.

  • Provide education for patients on importance of disposing properly of medications and engaging hospice providers for the same.

  • Improve access to portable drug disposal materials, with a focus on homebound and other special
    populations/residents.

• Provide education or technical assistance to healthcare organizations on how to set-up take back programs.
• Reduce supply of illicit drugs through law enforcement.
• Support legal action regarding improper opioid prescribing recommendations.

Reduce Opioid Use & Misuse

• Educate consumers about identifying opioid medications and advocating for alternatives
• Increase use of non-opioid treatment options
• Increase use of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) by prescribers in DuPage County
• Promote consistent safe prescribing messages and policies used by healthcare providers and health systems
• Promote and provide safe prescriber training
• Reduce the number of opiates prescribed

Increase Overdose Response

• Communication campaign to increase awareness of 911 Good Samaritan Law and provision of treatment and harm reduction resources
• Expand overdose follow-up provided by hospitals, fire departments, police departments, and social workers
• Make naloxone more accessible to bystanders and those most at-risk for overdose by increasing access in the community
• Sustain Narcan programs for  first responders

Integrated Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery

• Coordinate with criminal justice system partners to increase screening and referral to treatment (probation and specialty courts)
• Increase availability of Medication-Assisted Recovery
• Increase primary care and other healthcare provider referral to treatment
• Increase treatment community capacity
• Promote integration of mental health and substance use disorder treatment
• Promote job training and workforce development programs supporting those in recovery
• Encourage housing supportive of substance use recovery efforts

Substance Use Prevention & Education

• Enhance and promote prevention efforts (i.e. evidence-based curriculum for youth and messaging for general population)
• Promote substance use disorder stigma reduction campaigns
• Support prevention education and other initiatives regarding non-opioid (marijuana, stimulants, etc.)

  substances among youth and young adults.