Substance misuse was chosen as a priority during the CHA process after reviewing both secondary and primary data. As in other parts of the state, our county has seen an increase in substance misuse and most of these individuals are not able to get the help they need. This priority affects many areas in a person's life and is linked to many negative health outcomes including overdose and death. In Polk County, the prevalence of individuals whose life has been negatively affected by substance abuse indicates a significant increase in 2021 at 55.1%

The following actions have been identified by our partners as ideas for what can work to help make a difference with this priority.

Actions and Approaches Identified by Our Partners These are actions and approaches that our partners think can make a difference on substance misuse.

• Increase community engagement with individuals associated with Polk County Jail within the first 1-3 months post-release

• Lock Up Your Meds Campaign

• Quarterly Programming Summit

• Decrease barriers to service

• Naloxone Program

What is Currently Working in Our Community These are actions and approaches that are currently in place in our community to make a difference on substance misuse.

• Harm reduction conversations

• Lock boxes

• WithAll programs

• Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program

• Peer support

• Drug take backs

Evidence-Based Strategies These are actions and approaches that have been shown to make a difference on substance misuse.

• MAT

• Naloxone

• Case management

• Harm Reduction Programming

What Community Members Most Affected by Substance Misuse Say These are the actions and approaches recommended by members of our community who are most affected by substance misuse.

• Easier access to services is needed

• Need more education around substance misuse

• Need community education to combat stigma on addiction 

Substance Misuse and the related result "All Polk County Residents Will Be Free of Substance Misuse" are aligned with the following Healthy NC 2030 health indicators and desired results:

• Drug Overdose Deaths (per 100,000 population) - Decrease drug overdose deaths

• Tobacco Use - Decrease tobacco use

• Excessive Drinking - Decrease excessive drinking

The partners who can play a role in this priority include members of the Polk County Substance Misuse Coalition and:

• Polk County Schools

• Faith community

• County leaders

• Providers (RHA, Family Preservation, Blue Ridge Community Health)

• Polk County HHSA

• Employers

• St. Luke's Hospital

• Seniors

• Media

• Polk County families