County and city unite to tackle addiction crisis

In a recent government meeting, a joint advisory council formed by the county and city officials discussed strategies to enhance community health and safety through a collaborative approach to funding and resource allocation. Co-facilitated by Jamie Michael, the director of health and human services, the council aims to avoid duplication of efforts and maximize the impact of available funds.

The council is utilizing a framework from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, focusing on key principles such as spending to save lives, using evidence to guide expenditures, investing in youth prevention, ensuring racial equity, and maintaining a fair and transparent process. While specific recommendations are still forthcoming, the council highlighted potential outcomes that could be measured as part of their initiative.

The collaborative effort has already seen significant participation from various entities through focus groups, surveys, and interviews, with plans to continue this engagement as actions are adopted by the county and city councils. Transparency in fund allocation and outcomes is a priority, with commitments to periodic public reviews and annual audits to ensure accountability.

Addressing addiction was emphasized as a critical component of the community's health and safety needs. The meeting concluded with a call for ongoing dialogue and input from responders, service providers, and those affected by addiction, underscoring the importance of community involvement in shaping effective strategies.

Following this discussion, Stephen Lopez presented ideas for implementing Donana County's 2024 strategic plan, indicating a continued focus on collaborative governance and community health initiatives.