Tri-County Linkage-to-Care and Diversion

The Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) was developed as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) legislation. COSSAP’s purpose is to provide financial and technical assistance to states, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments to develop, implement, or expand comprehensive efforts to identify, respond to, treat, and support those impacted by illicit opioids, stimulants, and other drugs of abuse.

The objective of Category 1 is to encourage and support the development of comprehensive, locally driven responses to opioids, stimulants, and other substances that expand access to supervision, treatment, and recovery support services across the criminal justice system; support law enforcement and other first responder diversion programs for nonviolent drug offenders; promote education and prevention activities; and address the needs of children impacted by substance abuse.

The Tri-County Linkage-to-Care and Diversion Comprehensive Substance Abuse Program will ensure timely access to medication-assisted treatment, substance abuse recovery and social services, thus supporting the preservation of family units and reducing the risk of drug overdose, relapse, and repeated incarceration. Implementation of a proactive program targeting trauma and stress in children will serve to aid in developing child resilience to adverse circumstances and prevent drug abuse and mental health concerns later in life. This project serves three counties in the western-most region of North Carolina with a population size of 46,823. The project includes partnerships between Appalachian Mountain Community Health Centers, Clay County/Cherokee County/Graham County Health Departments, Vaya Health, Mountain Area Health Education Center, Clay and Cherokee county schools, and Dogwood Health Trust.

CA/NCF