County Survey on the Opioid Crisis to be Launched in July

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Georgia is experiencing an opioid crisis. In fact, Georgia is among the top 11 states with the most opioid deaths with 55 counties having an overdose rate higher than the national average. This issue has impacted counties to the extent that ACCG has created a standing Opioid Crisis Committee. In this fight, counties are often asked to stretch limited resources even further by increasing emergency services, providing additional training and supplies to first responders, turning jails into treatment facilities, and even addressing addiction issues within their own workforce.

In that this is a statewide issue, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), and the Department of Community Health (DCH), is developing Georgia’s strategic plan to address the opioid epidemic. As such, ACCG has been asked to help develop a survey to gauge how this crisis is impacting counties.

Later this month, a survey will be sent to your county by email. Since the survey will include questions regarding emergency services, health care, and county operations, it may require your county to consult with multiple departments and offices to complete. The answers provided will help inform key state stakeholders as they develop the state strategic plan. Therefore, it is important to respond to this survey so that your county’s needs, costs, and recommendations are considered in this process.

If your county needs more information on this issue before answering the survey, visit the website for the Georgia Attorney General. For in depth information provided on a county or regional level see the Center for Disease Control and the Georgia Department of Public Health.