The Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK) partnered with the Purchase District Health Department to assess community knowledge in relation to harm reduction programs and the impact on substance use. The assessment informed a plan to address substance use in the Purchase area of far Western Kentucky.

Focus groups, a commonly used method of gathering feedback, opinions and perspectives of a sampling of stakeholders were held in September 2019. The health department health education staff recruited key stakeholders and leaders in four counties to attend a focus group in or near their county. One focus group was held in Hickman County (Clinton) KY with participants invited from Carlisle, Hickman and Fulton counties. The second focus group was held in McCracken County (Paducah) KY with participants from Ballard and McCracken counties. Eleven people, in total, attended as participants. In addition, two health department staff (Director and Health Educator) and the CEDIK Extension Specialist/facilitator completed the attendance at the focus groups.

The Extension Specialist led the groups through a facilitated series of questions to: 1) to assess knowledge of substance use in the community and 2) to assess knowledge on syringe exchange programs. 

The focus groups revealed a clear need for education for elected officials and the communities they serve, before the Purchase District Health Department proceeds with implementing a Harm Reduction program and more specifically a needle exchange program.

Focus group participants expressed a need for data about current drug use, risk of HIV and Hepatitis infections and the costs for treating these infections in order to be communicated with community leaders. In addition, a message that shares the calculated return on investment (ROI) is needed on the amount of tax dollars saved with a needle exchange program preventing the cost of treating a patient with HIV or Hepatitis A and/or C would prove beneficial. Education that defines addiction and substance use disorder as diseases and that treatment can be effective when it is available. 

As a result of this information and additional work by community collaborators, the health department created a work plan that included an overdose response plan that was approved by an Advisory Task Force. An Opioid Summit is planned for October 1, 2020 and the health department received a HRSA grant to continue the work around substance use disorder. All of this work (focus groups, response plan and HRSA grant) has resulted in many additional collaborative partners for the Purchase District Health Department.