Explanation
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize a contract with Equitas Health, a not for profit service provider, to continue a partnership to support the community-wide comprehensive harm reduction program called Safe Point, in an amount not to exceed $350,000.00 for a period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
Harm reduction services provided by Equitas Health allow clients who are at high-risk of accidental overdose death to access the lifesaving drug, Naloxone, and receive risk reduction counseling, referrals to Alcohol & Drug treatment, and overdose prevention education. In 2022, Safe Point provided services to 4,343 individual clients and had a total of 8,123 visits. Clients who participate in the Safe Point program are provided access to many types of care that address both their active substance use disorder, as well as other social determinants of health. Throughout 2022, Safe Point has provided 207 referrals for Alcohol and Drug Treatment, 121 linkages to medical care, provided overdose prevention education to 3,302 clients, and 42 referrals for behavioral or mental healthcare services.
Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 3707.57 states that the Board of Health has to approve/establish a blood borne infectious disease prevention program. A syringe exchange program is a blood borne infectious disease prevention program. At this time Columbus Public Health does not have the capacity to provide this service.
Emergency action is requested for this contract in order to ensure Columbus has a harm reduction program to continue to save lives.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funds ($350,000.00) for this contract with Equitas Health are budgeted within the Health Department Special Revenue Fund.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Equitas Health to continue to provide a harm reduction program, called Safe Point, from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023; to authorize the expenditure of $350,000.00 from the...
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