The epidemic of prescription opioid overuse and overdose has led to the deaths of over 7,400 Californians in five years, and has also resulted in high medical and societal costs. CHCF is working with partners across the state to decrease opioid-related deaths by 20% in three years. In support of this goal, CHCF issued a request for applications (RFA) for organizations to create or strengthen regional opioid safety coalitions, aiming to drive down prescription painkiller overuse and overdose in their communities.

Regional opioid safety coalitions bring together leaders from medical societies, county public health agencies, health plans, medical groups, hospitals, pharmacies, law enforcement, the correctional system, community groups, addiction treatment, and others to work on decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with the overprescribing of painkillers in a single community. The coalition approach has already shown success in San Diego County and Marin County and has the potential to help local leaders support safe prescribing practices, expand access to medication-assisted addiction treatment, and increase access to naloxone — three approaches the federal government has identified to address the epidemic.

Following a competitive application process, grantees were selected to receive mentorship, coaching, and up to $60,000 of coalition support.

A recording and the presentation slides from the November 3 kick-off meeting are available below.