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tions. Tis is necessary because it is estimated that over 70 percent of the prescription medication that is abused comes from our homes. Arkansas partners with the DEA, Arkansas National Guard, and hundreds of Arkansas law enforce- ment agencies throughout the state to make this available. In addition to designated take back dates, we have 200 24-hour take back boxes installed at law enforcement agen- cies, and there is at least one take back box located in every county in Arkansas. Arkansans can find these box and event locations by going to
www.artakeback.org. Tis outstanding program gives the ability to every Arkansan to weigh in to resolve the opioid epidemic.” It is imperative that naloxone, an overdose recovery medication, is made widely available in each community in Arkansas. Naloxone is a lifesaver. Te Arkansas Naloxone Program is funded through a series of federal grants, foun- dation grants, asset-seized funds, and private donations. Naloxone allows someone who has overdosed on opioids to breathe again. Director Lane under- scores the importance of this medication. “It is important to real-
F
ize that, if they are alive, that there is a hope for recovery, and we must make every effort to give those that are subject to an overdose the tools to overcome their substance abuse disorder. In cases of acci- dental overdose it has been a proven and effective lifesaving tool. Arkansas has over 3,300 first responders trained to date and supplied with these kits throughout our commu- nities, with a plan to increase those numbers in the days to come. Our program has been touted by the Surgeon General of the United States as a model program for other states. We would encourage everyone that knows someone that is struggling with an Opioid Substance Abuse Disorder to obtain Naloxone to safeguard that person’s life, and we have made that possible through the Standing Order Proto- col that was passed in September 2017,” Lane said. Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Director Lane and our local law
enforcement officials have demonstrated a vital element to mitigating the opioid crisis — leadership. A major key to combating the crisis is to assure cover- age under Medicaid and health insurance for behavioral health and substance abuse treatment. Te Council of State Governments (CSG) studied our criminal justice system and pointed out needs for reinvestment of resources. Te CSG noted that one of the major shortcomings of Act 570 of 2013, the Public Safety Improvement Act of 2013, was the lack of funding. Act 570 of 2013 authorized the use
COUNTY LINES, SPRING 2018
RESEARCH CORNER
of Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) for the criminally involved. However, the coverage under Medicaid and health insurance for behavioral health treatment and/or substance abuse treatment was woefully lacking. It is absolutely neces- sary that health insurance and Medicaid provide coverage for prescriptions and treatment services for behavioral health and substance abuse. Persons suffering from mental illness, from substance abuse or both may need prescription drugs and other treatment services. Failure of our health insurance or Medicaid to adequately
ailure of our health insurance or Medicaid to adequately provide coverage, and thereby
access to prescription drugs and treatment, will destine our combat of the crisis for failure.
provide coverage, and thereby access to prescriptions drugs and treatment, will destine our combat of the crisis for failure. Tis is a major action item under the “Prescription for Action” report from the NLC and NACo. Te Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is in the process of making improvements to the state’s Medicaid program that we believe will improve access to behavioral health and substance abuse treatment for Medicaid beneficiaries. Given the issues related to opioid abuse that states across the country are facing, it is important that we make these changes now. DHS is phasing out some programs — Re- habilitative Services for Persons with Mental Ill- ness Program (RSPMI),
Substance Abuse Treatment Services Program (SATS), and the Licensed Mental Health Practitioner Program (LMHP) — on June 30 and transitioning to a more comprehensive and robust program called Outpatient Behavioral Health Services. All Medicaid beneficiaries will have improved access to the
services, provided by an expanded network of Independently Licensed Mental Health Providers and Behavioral Health Agencies, designed to address both behavioral health and substance use issues. In addition, beneficiaries will have access to an enhanced array of services, including residential services for adults with serious mental illness and children who are transitioning back into the community from inpatient care. An independent assessment will determine access to services for those with the highest needs, and these beneficiaries will be assigned to a care coordinator through a Provider Led Shared Saving Entity (PASSE). Based on the independent assessment, those entering PASSE will have a comprehensive Person-Centered Persons with mental illness in a civil context can be ordered to comply with MAT to prevent them from being a danger to themselves or to others.
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