The purpose of the Missouri State Opioid Response 3.0 (SOR 3.0) project is to build upon the system changes for the Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction that have been activated by Missouri's State Targeted Response (STR) and State Opioid Response grants while expanding focus on stimulant use and adding critical initiatives to address overdose disparities across the state. Upstream prevention approaches targeting substance misuse in high-risk youth and young adults will be key grant components. Overdose prevention and response strategies and expanded harm reduction resources will be increased across the state through expanded peer outreach, community based street outreach programs, and partnerships with infectious disease programs in high need communities. Through the continued and honed implementation of Missouri's 'Medication First' treatment approach for OUD as well as Contingency Management for stimulant use, we aim to increase access to evidence-based treatment and improve transitions of care. By continuing promotion of peer-led recovery training, we aim to better prepare individuals with lived experience to deliver valuable clinical support services. To enhance the sustainability of project accomplishments, administration and evaluation teams will strengthen existing collaborations, help enact key system sustainability changes, and demonstrate the effectiveness of protocols implemented through the award.
Missouri's primary focus will be increasing access to treatment for OUD and providing evidence-based services to individuals presenting for care within state-funded programs, hospitals, and community-led organizations. Primary prevention activities will center on increased awareness of prescription drug misuse and healthy coping skills, led by the Boys and Girls Club of American, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and local agencies in high risk areas. Overdose prevention and naloxone training efforts will target active drug users and homeless individuals through street outreach programming and training social services staff. Harm Reduction services will be expanded to include partnerships with organizations across the state or outreach, education, and resources. Additionally, Fentanyl Test Strip (FTS) distribution will provide harm reduction tools for people who use drugs, especially stimulant users. Partnerships between peer-outreach programming and community-based organizations will provide new access points for engagement in treatment and recovery services. Holistic recovery support services will be provided through Recovery Community Centers and Recovery Support Services, particularly housing, employment assistance, and family support, delivered with a focus on peer engagement and medication-friendly principles. The State of Missouri Department of Mental Health will lead the project, with administration, implementation, and evaluation activities performed by the University of Missouri, St. Louis - Missouri Institute of Mental Health. Missouri's SOR 3.0 project will further transform the system of care for OUD by implementing evidence-based protocols demonstrated to save lives, offering extensive multimodal professional training and consultation, and delivering effective and compassionate services to individuals across healthcare settings throughout the state.