Tulsa Health Department’s Regional Prevention Coordinator Program to Address Substance Use

The Tulsa Health Department (THD) is committed to enhancing the well-being of the Tulsa community through comprehensive prevention and healthcare services. Our numerous programs are strategically designed to mitigate negative health outcomes and promote healthy lifestyles through education and outreach. By providing accessible, free resources, THD empowers residents to make informed choices.

Substance misuse is a significant public health challenge facing our community. THD’s Regional Prevention Coordinator (RPC) substance use prevention program addresses this issue. This initiative is funded by Community Based Prevention Services grants and expertly guided by RPC staff and the Coalition Against Prescription and Substance Abuse of Tulsa (CAPSAT).

With the support of THD, CAPSAT has emerged as a beacon of hope in the fight against overdoses involving prescription and illicit substances. This dedicated group of individuals, organizations, and community leaders has made significant strides in preventing substance use and saving lives.

In observance of Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, 2024, THD and CAPSAT are dedicated to raising awareness about the escalating opioid overdose crisis. We aim to empower community members with strategies to prevent overdoses by addressing stigma, promoting safe medication practices, ensuring proper medication disposal and discouraging medication sharing.

THD and CAPSAT’s Impactful Initiatives

THD supports the bi-annual Prescription Drug Take-Back event. Prescription Drug Take-Back Events are one of CAPSAT’s most visible and successful programs. This event occurs on the last Saturday of every April and October. This initiative provides a safe and convenient way for the public to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications, reducing the risk of accidental poisoning, misuse, and environmental contamination.  

Beyond medication disposal, CAPSAT with THD’s support has been instrumental in:

• Education and Awareness: CAPSAT spearheads numerous free educational trainings, presentations, staff in-services, and campaigns to inform the public about the dangers of substance use; i.e. Rx medication, opioids, fentanyl, stimulants, and emerging drug trends, the importance of secure medication storage and disposal, taking Rx medications as prescribed, and the availability of treatment options.  
• Collaboration: By fostering partnerships with healthcare providers, law enforcement, schools, and community organizations, CAPSAT has created a strong network dedicated to substance use prevention.
• Policy Advocacy: CAPSAT has actively advocated for legislation and policies that support prevention and treatment efforts.
• Harm Reduction: Through a partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), CAPSAT was instrumental in advocating for and implementing a policy designating the Tulsa Health Department as a Narcan distribution hub, providing the community with free access to this life-saving medication and fentanyl test strips. Through strategic community engagement initiatives, including public events, digital platforms, and organizational training, RPC staff and CAPSAT facilitates the widespread distribution of Narcan to Tulsa residents.
• Community Events: THD aids the RPC program and CAPSAT through the implementation of innovative marketing campaigns and themes when hosting events to reach a broader audience in the Tulsa community.

Measuring Success

While the battle against substance use is ongoing, CAPSAT’s efforts have shown promising results. By tracking key metrics such as the number of medications collected during Rx Take Back events, the reach of educational campaigns, free distribution of medication lock boxes, medication disposal bags, Narcan, Fentanyl test strips, and changes in public attitudes, CAPSAT can measure its impact and identify areas for improvement.

A Model for Other Communities

The success of RPC, housed at THD, and CAPSAT serves as an inspiration for other communities grappling with substance use. By replicating CAPSAT’s strategies and building upon their achievements, cities across the nation can make significant progress in reducing overdose deaths and improving public health.

With Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st, our community programs want to bring awareness to the rising opioid-related overdoses and sharing strategies on how you can help reduce overdoses in your community.