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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-22-2015 BOHMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS September 22, 2015 Attendance: Randy Neatherlin, County Commissioner; Tim Sheldon, County Commissioner; Terri Jeffreys. County Commissioner; Eileen Branscome, Hospital District #1; Peggy VanBuskirk, Hospital District #2; Frank Phillips, Fire Commissioner; and Lydia Buchheit. Absent: Cmmr. Tim Sheldon and City Cmmr. Mike Olsen. 1. Chair Mike Olsen was absent so Commissioner Jeffreys called the meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. 2. Approval of Agenda -Peggy VanBuskirk/Frank Phillips moved and seconded to approve the agenda as written. 3. Approval of July 28, 2015 Minutes -Peggy VanBuskirk/Frank Phillips moved and seconded to approve the July 28, 2015 meeting minutes. Motion carried. 4. Substance Use -Thurston County Syringe Exchange Data for Mason County -Dr. Yu initiated a discussion regarding syringe exchange. She spoke about opiates used and the level of drug use and crime. Opiates refer to heroin and prescription drugs. She said that over the last 20 years the use of opiates has risen and the use of heroin especially. There is a high level of opiate use in Mason County in every aspect. Peggy VanBuskirk said prescription drug abuse is down due to the fact that they are harder to get these days. Cmmr. Neatherlin asked what can be done about this because it's having a negative impact on the community. Dr. Yu said heroin is cheaper than meth and cheaper than prescription drugs and easier to get. She stated that street heroin use is on the rise. She said that there are programs available although not necessarily local. She stated that there are prescriptions to help with withdrawals but doesn't give a "high". She added that currently, there are no doctors in Mason County that prescribe these medications and they also go hand in hand with counseling. Dr. Yu stated that Evergreen Treatment Services runs a program although it's private pay. There would need to be some grants or public funding options. Cmmr. Neatherlin said he would like to do something like that and added it seems like it could be a small part of a solution for Mason County. Vicki Kirkpatrick and Dr. Yu spoke about liability insurance but it would be something to look in to. Dr. Yu suggests talking to colleagues in Grays Harbor County. Ben Johnson spoke about the program that Skokomish Tribe is using. He explained it consists of a once a month medication. After Skokomish has tried it for a few months, Ben will get an update. The group had a discussion about the needle exchange. Cm1m. Jeffreys asked what problem(s) we are trying to solve with the needle exchange. Dr. Yu said the Hepatitis C and HIV have remained stable in Mason County. Peggy VanBuskirk suggested that every time needles are exchanged, they could get referral information and added that she would like more research into the cost of medication programs. Eileen Brancome said it would reduce the spread of infections but it's not a deterrent to using drugs. She would like more infonnation on medication programs and the outcomes of use. BOARD OF HEAL TH PROCEEDINGS September 22, 2015-PAGE 2 Dr. Yu asked Cmmr. Neatherlin about what is being done in the north end of the County. Cmmr. Neatherlin said the drug use is a constant it's just becoming "the nonn". He stated he doesn't know of anything that has been done to change things and would like to know what can be done. Peggy Van Buskirk stated that she experiences theft every year. Cmmrs. Neatherlin and Jeffreys agreed that it would be nice to have recommendations and they would like to know all the options. Dr. Yu said from her stand point, drug use is a big issue in Mason County. Cmmr. Neatherlin said he would like to move forward in some fashion to have an impact on the drug use in the County. Vicki Kirkpatrick said they should look for outcome data to see what is successful and said they do not have comparable data at this point. She added that not everything works the same for everyone. CIDlm. Neatherlin would like to continue to move forward and get something in the works. The Board discussed medications to assist with drug abuse. They agreed to move forward and get additional infonnation on Buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is an approved opioid addiction treatment such as Subutex and Suboxone. Cffilllf. Jeffreys reminded the Board that this medication needs to go along with treatment services and/or counseling. 5. 2016 Health & Human Services Department Budget Vicki Kirkpatrick spoke about a supplemental request in the 2016 budget for an epidemiologist. She just wanted to provide information to the BOH although it's up to Commissioners ifit will be funded. 6. Other Business -Cmmr. Jeffreys spoke about the Regional Support Network changing to BHO (Behavioral Health Organization). Thurston & Mason Counties just signed an inter-local agreement to form the BHO. She stated there will be more services for each county and the possibility ofa detox facility. This parody is exciting and will start up soon. She also spoke about the Criminal Justice Treatment Account. 7. Public Comment -There was no public comment. 8. Adjourn -The meeting adjowned at 5:02 p.m. BOARD OF HEALTH PROCEEDINGS September 22, 2015 -PAGE 3 ATTEST BOARD OF HEAL TH ~CO~HmGTON Mike Olsen, Chair Tim Sheldon, Commissioner Fr~ /ips, Fire / o ;/ nissioner ~~ Vicki Kirkpatritl,HealtDirecto ~Branscome, Hospital District #1