A Comunity based partnership to address Opiate Epidemic in Northeast Ohio

Introduction: Cuyahoga County has experienced significant rise in heroin related deaths in recent years. Since 2007, heroin-related deaths in the county have more than tripled. In 2012, there were 161 heroin-related deaths in the county alone.  The Cuyahoga County Board of Health has  formed a community coalition named, Cuyahoga County Opiate Taskforce,  to  develop education and prevention  strategies in order to combat this rising epidemic in the county.  The coalition involved number of community based organizations, public service agencies, service providers, clinicians, law enforment agencies, and researchers.  It is important to assess a coalition's resources, strengths and gaps  for its effectiveness and future sustainability.  Using Focus groups, interviews and surveys we have conducted a needs assessment of the coaliation partnership  in terms of its representation, assets and gaps.  The findings highlight the need to engage additional organizations in the coalition including faith based organizations, school boards, counselore and public service agencies that represent diverse geographic and demographic constituents. In addition, comprehensive evaluation of all stakeholders in terms of needs and assets in order to set priorities and resource management is crucial.  In addition, the presentation will highlight the findings from a community based needs assesssment and also the process through which the coallition is influencing policy development  in various context in the county. We will present the process of partnership development and expansion, its effectiveness,  and  the prevention activities  of the coaliation based on priorities identified by the needs assessment.