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New DPH director highlights street telehealth buprenorphine program, emphasis on connecting people into treatment
Summary
Two weeks into the job, Department of Public Health Director Tsai described street outreach observations and an on‑the‑street telehealth buprenorphine prescribing initiative; he said a mayoral executive directive will push departments to make treatment entry and connections easier while preserving syringe access.
Director Tsai told the commission he has spent his first two weeks meeting community partners, out with street teams and night navigators and observing city efforts to connect people with medical and behavioral health needs to treatment and housing.
Tsai described one pilot: “the team has been able with a range of colleagues to initiate an on the street telehealth buprenorphine prescribing program,” allowing a prescriber by phone to start buprenorphine for people engaged by outreach teams. He said the next challenge is helping patients stay “plugged in” beyond the first days of treatment by linking them to counseling, social work and other supports.
Tsai also noted a mayoral executive directive issued that morning with citywide implications. He said the directive emphasizes easier pathways to enter treatment, the need for appropriate mixes of treatment beds, and stronger connections between shelter or housing engagement and initiation of care. Tsai said the department will work with community partners in the coming week and a half to identify implications and policy details.
