Providing backbone support to the Washtenaw Health Initiative Opioid Project
In our own community and across the country, opioid overdose deaths have reached epidemic levels. The Washtenaw Health Initiative (WHI) Opioid Project intends to change that. Opioid addiction is a chronic disease, like heart disease or diabetes, that can be managed. A person with an addiction can regain a healthy, productive life. However, individuals and families need to receive support from the entire prevention, treatment, and recovery community including law enforcement, public health, hospitals, community mental health agencies, treatment facilities, and other providers. To dramatically reduce opioid-related deaths, Washtenaw County must support this work and build bridges across the community.
CHRT is coordinating a range of activities, including goal setting, analysis, and planning while managing the Washtenaw Health Initiative Opioid Project’s active subcommittees to ensure that the work being done has a positive impact in the community. CHRT is also identifying and working with Opioid Project members to ensure that group goals address gaps and are measurable, attainable, relevant, and realistic.