The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indian's (MBCI) Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) Project aims to address the opioid overdose crisis by providing culturally appropriate evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, recovery support services, and increase access to Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (MOUD). In addition to addressing opioid use disorder (OUD), the Choctaw TOR Project will also assist individuals at risk or with co-occurring substance use disorders, and stimulant misuse and use disorders, including those involving cocaine and methamphetamine. Along with increasing access to MOUD, the project will also improve access to naloxone to decrease mortality from drug overdoses and promote the education of school-aged children, first responders, and key community sectors on opioid and stimulant misuse. The project aims to serve 20 unduplicated individuals and 1450 individuals for prevention/harm reduction services annually, and 100 unduplicated individuals and 7,250 individuals for prevention/harm reduction services over the 5-year grant period. The project goals to be accomplished during the award period are as follows:
Project Goals Measurable Objectives
(1) Increase workforce capacity to assist in outreach and treatment services for participating individuals By January 31st, 2025, one new full-time case manager will be recruited and trained to meet with three individuals to work on treatment goals.
(2) Increase the Recovery Support Community engagement by facilitating recovery events By December 31st, 2024, one recovery activity will take place. From then on recovery activities will be quarterly.
(3) Implement evidence-based contingency management (CM) programs to treat stimulant use disorder and concurrent substance misuse, and to improve retention in care By November 25th, 2024, utilize contingency management strategies to incentivize treatment compliance and reduce barriers to treatment.
(4)Maintain effective prevention strategies which include but are not limited to: elder education, outreach and engagement of youth, strategic messaging, and community prevention activities I. By September 29th, 2025, complete three annual community-wide prevention campaigns based on the CDC’s RX Awareness Campaign.
II. By August 29, 2025, MBCI will implement the CDC Rx Awareness Campaign to increase awareness that opioids can be addictive and dangerous.
III. By August 29, 2025, increase school children engagement and resiliency by implementing the "Operation Prevention" curriculum.
(5)Increase dissemination and utilization of naloxone I. By January 30, 2025, increase dissemination of naloxone to patients and family members.
II. By March 30, 2025, Project Director will train 75% of the current law enforcement and detention staff, security personnel, healthcare workers, school personnel, human services personnel, and other key tribal members on the recognition of opioid overdose and appropriate use of naloxone.
(6) Ensure continued access to MAT using FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder I. By October 1st, 2024, Continue Psychosocial Services linkages required to support MAT.
II. By April 30th, 2025 host training about MOUD for practice nurses and prescribing physicians to encourage MOUD treatment.
