Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) Training and Technical Assistance Program - Logistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 107,622 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States during 2021; an increase of nearly 15 percent from 2020. At a time when overdose deaths, driven primarily by illicitly manufactured synthetic drugs, have reached a record high, the Biden-Harris Administration took action through its first-year drug policy priorities to significantly expand access to evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services, as well as to reduce the supply of illicit drugs such as fentanyl.

COSSAP-supported projects are ideally positioned to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s vision to steer American communities toward expanded, comprehensive, and sustainable responses to substance use disorders that prioritize prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction. COSSAP offers a blueprint for success that is grounded in partnerships, commitment, and evidence. As the COSSAP Network hub for TTA, the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) will continue to advance the COSSAP TTA Coordination and Demonstration Program – Logistics by supporting more than 400 site-based and state grantees to reduce opioid, stimulant, and other substance misuse;  supporting overdose fatality review initiatives and public safety and public health collaborations to support rural jurisdictions; supporting grantees and stakeholders in tailoring the approaches described above to their local needs; enhancing grantees’ capacity to achieve success through the provision of expert, proactive TTA; and serving as the nexus of a nationwide COSSAP community of practice that is helping to turn the tide in the battle against substance use.

IIR will continue to leverage innovative and proven coordination processes and infrastructure to meet the needs of the COSSAP initiative by:

Providing logistical support for and delivering webinars, podcasts, and other distance–learning opportunities.
Supporting development of COSSAP publications, including graphic design, editing, and distribution.
Providing full planning for and logistical support to a wide range of virtual and in-person meetings.
Coordinating with and supporting the COSSAP TTA Collaborative.
Developing content for, maintaining, and enhancing the COSSAP Resource Center website.
Expanding existing rural demonstration projects.

A unified COSSAP Network is a fundamental underpinning of the program’s success.  As the hub for the entire scope of TTA efforts, IIR welcomes and embraces the opportunity to continue to dedicate its expertise to maintaining and building on the positive momentum generated through COSSAP and is committed to the fundamental role that IIR’s capabilities play in supporting the recovery and healing of the individuals, families, and communities that COSSAP serves.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 107,622 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States during 2021—an increase of nearly 15 percent from 2020. At a time when overdose deaths, driven primarily by illicitly manufactured synthetic drugs, have reached a record high, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken action to significantly expand access to evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services, as well as reduce the supply of illicit drugs, such as fentanyl.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) and COSSUP-supported projects are ideally positioned to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s vision to steer American communities toward expanded, comprehensive, and sustainable responses to substance use disorders that prioritize prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction. COSSUP offers a blueprint for success that is grounded in partnerships, commitment, and evidence. As the COSSUP network hub for training and technical assistance (TTA), the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) will continue to advance the COSSUP TTA Coordination and Demonstration Program by supporting more than 400 site-based and state grantees to reduce opioid, stimulant, and other substance misuse; supporting overdose fatality review initiatives and public safety and public health collaborations to support rural jurisdictions; supporting grantees and stakeholders in tailoring the approaches described above to their local needs; enhancing grantees’ capacity to achieve success through the provision of expert, proactive TTA; and serving as the nexus of a nationwide COSSUP Community of Practice that is helping turn the tide in the battle against substance use. IIR will continue to leverage proven coordination processes and infrastructure to meet the needs of COSSUP by providing logistical support for and delivering webinars, podcasts, and other distance-learning opportunities; coordinating with and supporting the COSSUP TTA Collaborative; developing content for, maintaining, and enhancing the COSSUP Resource Center website; supporting the addition of two new Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions project cohorts; enhancing the Rural Community Toolbox; and supporting a demonstration project focusing on jails and community-based medication-assisted treatment. A unified COSSUP network is a fundamental underpinning of the program’s success. As the hub for the entire scope of TTA efforts, IIR will continue to dedicate its expertise to maintaining and building on the positive momentum generated through COSSUP and is committed to the fundamental role that IIR’s capabilities play in supporting the recovery and healing of the individuals, families, and communities that COSSUP serves.