Opioid News

The Louisiana Department of Health - Office of Behavioral Health is expanding flexibility to accessible, evidence-based opioid treatment services in Louisiana with 24/7 services in the Northwest and Northshore regions of Louisiana.

Continuing its commitment to addressing the opioid epidemic, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) will open two new Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) in Houma and Bogalusa, bringing the overall number of Louisiana OTPs to 12. The evidence-based behavioral health treatment services will increase access to treatment services for 400 to 1,200 individuals per month.

The purpose of this Request for Applications is to identify qualified applicant organizations which can show a demonstrated ability to provide medication-assisted opioid treatment services in one or more of the listed geographic areas within a designated region or regions where OBH has determined that a need exists.

Dr. Janice Williams joined stakeholders in the prevention field in January 2020 to discuss ways to work to improve areas of workforce development, and establish goals and action steps to take as part of state and national prevention work. Those proceedings were released this month. Read the proceedings report here.

The LaSOR 2.0 grant allows the State to continue addressing the needs of residents facing the challenges of opioid and stimulant use and misuse — a population which has faced increased difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"ATLAS provides families with standardized information on the quality of treatment facilities, helping you to find the facility that is best for you or your loved one," said Karen Stubbs, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Behavioral Health.

No area has been spared in the COVID-19 pandemic, and one of the most vulnerable populations is those with addiction. Louisiana rapidly jumped into problem-solving mode to ensure vital services continue to be provided to those with addiction.

A new work force development initiative at Tulane University, School of Medicine, will seek to combat the opioid epidemic by helping to reduce barriers for healthcare prescribers, treating opioid use disorders, especially in rural Louisiana by implementing project ECHO. Project will give healthcare professionals access to training, experts and resources not usually available to them.

Today, the Louisiana Department of Health released Louisiana’s Opioid Response Plan, the first of its kind for the state. The plan aims to successfully reduce Louisiana’s opioid epidemic by implementing strategies to address the under-reporting of opioid deaths, enhance monitoring of opioid prescriptions and increase access to treatment services.