TN Comprehensive Opioid Reduction Strategies Phase II

The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program (COAP) was developed as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) legislation. COAP’s purpose is to provide financial and technical assistance to states, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments to plan, develop, and implement comprehensive efforts to identify, respond to, treat, and support those impacted by the opioid epidemic. The Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) has been incorporated into the FY 2019 COAP solicitation. The purpose of the Harold Rogers PDMP is to improve collaboration and strategic decision making among regulatory and law enforcement agencies and public health entities to address prescription drug and opioid abuse, save lives, and reduce crime.

COAP aims to reduce opioid abuse and the number of overdose fatalities, as well as to mitigate the impacts on crime victims by supporting comprehensive, collaborative initiatives. The program also supports the implementation, enhancement, and proactive use of PDMPs to support clinical decision making and prevent the abuse and diversion of controlled substances. Grantees are prohibited from using federal funds to support activities that violate the Controlled Substances Act.

The objective of Category 2 is to support states in their efforts to implement, enhance, or evaluate effective opioid-related efforts within the criminal justice system.

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse will support:
Six new implementation project sites as well as five enhancement project sites for counties that are currently COAP funded. Response teams will use a collaborative approach in meeting the needs of children affected by drug overdose events as well as the parents. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will also implement a statewide prevention strategy by creating a virtual reality game with education content for students to engage with at school events. Integrate three Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist (CPRS) positions in probation and parole offices across the state, one in each of the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee. Provide recovery support services, including recovery housing, as part of a comprehensive response. Conference Activity: The Tennessee Association of Recovery Court Professionals will coordinate a peer-sharing conference events for this project. The conference will bring practitioners from multiple disciplines who are addressing the opioid crisis in TN, including COAP funded and non-COAP funded partners. The purpose of the conference is to discuss new ways to collaborate through peer sharing and education.

CA/NCF