Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Impact - Project Title: North Georgia Opioid Prevention and Education Network (NG OPEN) Impact Project Applicant Organization: Mercer University School of Medicine Target Service Area: Gordon and Polk Counties, Georgia The North Georgia Opioid Prevention and Education Network (NG OPEN) Impact Project seeks to strengthen and expand a coordinated, recovery-oriented system of care for individuals and families affected by substance use disorder in Gordon and Polk Counties, Georgia. Building upon the foundation established through previous RCORP investments, the project brings together a broad consortium of healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, recovery community organizations, educational institutions, faith-based partners, and community stakeholders to address persistent gaps in prevention, treatment, recovery support, and workforce development. Rural communities in North Georgia continue to experience significant challenges related to opioid and substance use disorders, including limited access to comprehensive recovery services, workforce shortages, fragmented care coordination, and barriers to sustained recovery. The NG OPEN Impact Project addresses these challenges through an integrated strategy that enhances recovery infrastructure, strengthens partnerships among healthcare and community-based organizations, and improves access to evidence-based recovery supports. Key project activities include embedding Certified Peer Specialists within healthcare settings, expanding recovery navigation and care coordination services, implementing a closed-loop referral system, strengthening collaboration among healthcare providers, recovery organizations, and community partners, and increasing access to recovery support services for individuals and families. The project will also enhance overdose prevention efforts through expanded naloxone distribution, training, and community education while increasing awareness of available treatment and recovery resources. Through these efforts, the project will improve service integration, reduce barriers to care, strengthen the rural behavioral health workforce, and create a more responsive continuum of care that supports individuals across the recovery journey. By aligning healthcare, recovery, and community systems, the NG OPEN Impact Project will establish a sustainable recovery ecosystem capable of improving health outcomes, reducing overdose risk, increasing engagement in recovery services, and supporting long-term recovery for rural residents affected by substance use disorders. The long-term vision of NG OPEN is a resilient, community-driven recovery system that promotes wellness, strengthens families, and improves quality of life throughout Gordon and Polk Counties.
