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Interior AIDS Association emphasizes syringe-exchange prevention work in opioid remediation pitch
Summary
Interior AIDS Association told the commission its Northern Exchange program focuses on preventing overdose and infectious disease, and said a modest opioid-remediation award would support staff time that increases distribution of Narcan, fentanyl testing strips and supplies.
Anna Nelson, who identified herself as a "grama specialist" with Interior AIDS Association, told the Health and Social Services Commission that Northern Exchange — the agency’s syringe-exchange and prevention program — has a long local history and focuses on preventing death and infectious disease. "Northern Exchange has has been in existence for 36 and Northern Exchange started out as what we a simple syringe exchange program," Nelson said, recounting the program’s evolution from outreach backpacks and syringe exchange to broader prevention work. Nelson told commissioners the program uses state epidemiology data and its own program metrics to document need. Commissioners asked how grant funds would be used and whether the proposal would increase access to materials such as fentanyl test strips, Narcan and drug deactivation kits. Nelson said the requested opioid remediation funds — discussed in conversation as roughly $25,000 for the prevention activities — would pay staff time for prevention work and would increase availability of supplies and training: "Yes. It is," she said when asked whether the grant would increase access to opioid-related supplies. During a question-and-answer exchange, commissioners flagged the need to separate prevention activities from treatment in reporting and budgeting. Nelson described internal procedures that track treatment clients and program time but said the agency does not track every minute to the "nth degree"; she said the program uses braided funding sources and program income to support overlapping prevention and treatment activities. Commissioners praised Interior AIDS Association’s recent use of up-to-date local data and photos in its application; the commission’s scores for Interior AIDS ranged from the mid-40s to a top score in one commissioner’s ballot. The commission did not make an award at the meeting; staff will compile scores and request follow-up documentation as needed.
