Samaritan Tackles Substance & Opioid Use Disorder January 13, 2021 Samaritan Health Services is working to address the substance and opioid use disorder crisis that plagues Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties. Since late 2017, Samaritan has received nearly $2.5 million in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration to support this work. Each grant has different objectives based on community need. East Linn County (Grants awarded to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital) Rural Health Care Opioid Program: Awarded $747,243 to be used over three years (2018 ‑ 2021). This program improved access to medication‑assisted treatment and recovery‑oriented resources. Through education, outreach and the distribution of naloxone (Narcan) rescue kits, the program helped to prevent opioid overdose and to reduce the shame and stigma of substance use disorder. Rural Health Care Services Outreach: Awarded $599,921 to be used over three years (2018 – 2021). Trained specialists to support individuals with opioid use disorder and their families at critical opportunities for intervention. A large focus includes distributing Narcan kits in the community and training health care workers and family and friends of people at high risk about opioid use and intervention. Lincoln County (Grant awarded to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital) Bridges to Recovery Program: Awarded $1 million to be used over three years (2019 – 2022). The project includes partnerships with Lincoln County Health and Human Services and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon. Together, implementation of opioid prevention, treatment and recovery services, as well as education platforms and partnership with community organizations to expand awareness, will be the primary focus areas. Tri-county Area Rural Opioid Planning: Awarded $200,000 to be used over 18 months, starting in September 2020. Stemming from a gap in services for people struggling with accessing care for substance use disorder due to COVID‑19, the team will develop a comprehensive disaster response plan for Samaritan’s rural tri‑county region to address this need. Learn more about Samaritan’s treatment and recovery services at samhealth.org/Recovery.
