1. Expanding Prevention: Prevention is a critical component necessary as an evidence-based practice that is proven to be effective. Funded activities can include public awareness media campaigns, youth education, addressing prescribing practices by providers, and strengthening community coalitions. 2. Strengthening Treatment and Harm Reduction Programs: Treatment and harm reduction services are necessary tools within the continuum of care because Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) combined with behavioral interventions is proven as an effective practice that can support adolescents and young adults to achieve sobriety and engage in long-term recovery. Additionally, harm reduction programs such as Naloxone distribution and needle exchange program have been instrumental in reducing death by overdose and can be used as educational and counseling tools as well. Funded activities can include MAT training and education in primary care providers, increasing capacity of County clinics and Department of Behavioral Wellness infrastructure to offer treatment, increasing MAT capacity in the Sheriff s Office correctional facilities, ensuring warm hand offs to treatment, and eliminating barriers to treatment such as transportation, 2 access, and health coverage.
