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Commission approves MOU to host Oakland County Health mobile harm-reduction services
Summary
Royal Oak approved a memorandum of understanding with Oakland County Health to bring a mobile health unit offering harm-reduction services, training and connections to care. Supporters described the MOU as a compassionate public-health measure; staff noted training for police and a legal review had been completed.
The Royal Oak City Commission on Oct. 27 approved an MOU with Oakland County Health Department to allow the county’s mobile health unit to provide harm-reduction services in the city.
Commissioner Chieson (public-health background) and city attorney/staff recounted that Oakland County Health and local nonprofit The Welcome In approached the city to discuss a potential MOU; staff described a collaborative approach that includes training for police to address legal issues and an emphasis on connecting vulnerable residents to services such as wound care, Narcan training and referrals for substance-use-disorder treatment. Heather Duenas, Executive Director of The Welcome In, described personal and service-based reasons for supporting harm-reduction services and urged timely adoption.
The motion to approve the MOU was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote. Staff said this is intended to be a partnership that aligns with public-health goals and will involve training and coordination among county health services, local providers and police.
Next steps: Staff will execute the MOU, coordinate training for police as appropriate, and work with Oakland County Health and local providers to schedule mobile-unit visits and service delivery.
