RI- Addressing Stimulant Use Disorders-ORN-Engaging OWUD-062824-Final

ORN-Engaging OWUD-062824-Final

Pdf Summary

The document discusses person-centered approaches to engaging people who use drugs, particularly focusing on the opioid crisis and stimulant use. The SAMHSA-funded Opioid Response Network offers resources and technical assistance for prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. The initiative aims to address barriers to care faced by individuals who use drugs, such as pain management, primary care, emergency room/hospital, EMS, and addiction treatment. These barriers can lead to a lack of trust and reduced engagement with medical establishments, resulting in poor health outcomes and decreased access to necessary services.<br /><br />The document highlights various programs and services offered by the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) to support individuals who use drugs. These include low-threshold clinics, harm reduction services, methadone inductions, integration into primary care, wound care, overdose response protocols, and post-overdose care. The program emphasizes rebuilding trust, reducing stigma, providing safe spaces, and improving patient engagement.<br /><br />Strategies discussed include compassionate naloxone administration, nuanced overdose responses, wound care services, and directly observed therapy programs. The focus is on adapting programming to meet the specific needs of individuals who use drugs and are unhoused. By implementing person-centered approaches and integrating low-threshold and harm reduction services, the BHCHP aims to reduce barriers to care and improve health outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Keywords

person-centered approaches

opioid crisis

stimulant use

SAMHSA-funded Opioid Response Network

prevention

harm reduction

treatment

recovery

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program

low-threshold clinics