Opioid Use Disorder Resources

Granville Vance Public Health has been an early leader in addressing the opioid crisis in our community. To learn more about this important topic, actions that GVPH is taking, and ways to prevent overdose navigate the tabs below.

speech bubble symbolAre you or a loved one struggling with opioid use?
Call to speak to our primary care team about about opioid prevention and treatment. We can screen you to see if you would be a                                candidate to receive medically assisted                                  treatment in our offices or assist you with                            locating the appropriate level of treatment                          to meet your needs..

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Let’s talk about how to manage pain.
Learn about non-opioid options for pain management that carry less risk of addiction. Talk to your primary care provider at GVPH about proven strategies to address                        pain without using opioids.

caution signLet’s talk about opioid misuse.
It’s important that you only take medications that have been prescribed to you, in the way you were directed. Always store opioids in a secure place and dispose of unused opioids                         properly and quickly.  We can help you find                         safe places for disposal within our                                         community. Find a dropbox near you.

head in hands iconLet’s talk about Opioid Use Disorder.
OUD is a serious disease that alters the brain and changes decision-making. Recovery from opioid addiction is possible with medications for opioid use                              disorder (MOUD). There are medications                              that can help to greatly reduce withdrawal                          symptoms.

medical cross symbolLet’s talk about overdose prevention.
If you or a loved one are not ready for treatment, keeping naloxone in your home can help you be prepared and safer. Naloxone can reverse an overdose and save                         a life. Anyone who takes opioids or knows                           someone who does should have naloxone                           in their home to respond to an  overdose.                             We can provide you with naloxone.

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Let’s talk about harm reduction.
Harm reduction aims to decrease the negative consequences associated with opioid use, particularly concerning overdose and the transmission of blood-borne                                     infections. This approach recognizes that                               treatment may not be right for everyone,                               and focuses on minimizing harm and                                     promoting health and safety.

Opioid Use FAQs

  • Face is extremely pale and/or feels clammy to the touch.
  • Body goes limp.
  • Fingernails have a blue or purple color.
  • Vomiting or making gurgling noises
  • Cannot be awakened or is not able to speak.
  • Breathing or heartbeat slows or stops.
  1. Narcan (naloxone) is a drug given to quickly reverse an overdose from opioids and restore breathing. Naloxone is available at most pharmacies without a prescription, and often covered by insurance.
  1. Granville Vance Public Health works to ensure that individuals at risk of overdosing on opioids are able to access naloxone – a non-addictive drug that reverses an opiate overdose by binding with opioid receptor in the brain and reversing the depression of the central nervous and respiratory systems.
  2. Naloxone is available at most pharmacies without a prescription, and often covered by insurance. GVPH provides naloxone to anyone that requests it at no cost through our clinics in Oxford and Henderson.
  • Additionally, NaloxoneSaves.org provides contact information for pharmacies offering naloxone under the statewide standing order.
  1. Granville Vance Public Health has partnered with the NC Harm Reduction Coalition(NCHRC) to provide local access harm reduction supplies. you are in need of sterile injection supplies, safe syringe disposal, naloxone, fentanyl tests, safer sex supplies, would care supplies, peer support and health referrals, please call the NCHRC Mobile Outreach Worker in Granville and Vance Counties (1-910-262-2496).

North Carolina’s 911 Good Samaritan Law states that people who have a drug overdose or people who see someone overdose and get help for them can no longer be prosecuted for possession of small amounts of drugs, paraphernalia or under-age drinking.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) is an approach to opioid use treatment that combines the use of FDA-approved drugs to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Along with medications, persons in treatment may participate in counseling, skills development, and other behavioral therapies that have been helpful for people diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD). Research shows that a combination of medications and therapy together support long term behavior change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA4y2iyV6lI&t=34s

Granville Vance Public Health promotes prescription drug take back programs in order to provide safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications that are no longer needed for their originally prescribed purpose. GVPH does notaccept old prescriptions. More Powerful NC can help you find a drug take back box near you. 

For more information

For questions about local behavioral health, mental health, and substance use resources, contact Karl Johnson

Karl Johnson, PhD

Behavioral Health Integration Specialist

Kjohnson@gvph.org

For questions about Hep C treatment and prevention, contact Michele Beckwith 

Michelle Beckwith, LPN

Hepatitis C Bridge Counselor-Region 7

252-492-7915 ext 211

For questions about GVPH’s behavioral health services, contact Melanie H. Griggs

Mary Constantino, LCSW

Human Services Clinical Counselor Specialist

919-693-2141

mconstantino@gvph.org

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