Davidson County Commissioners to consider MAT Program Agreement and opioid addiction
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Davidson County is grappling with a significant surge in opioid-related overdose deaths, and county leaders are considering an amendment to the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program agreement. The proposed Amendment #1 will be discussed at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, April 14, at 6 PM at the Governmental Center in Lexington.
This amendment, if approved, would approve aspects of the existing MAT agreement, including the allocation of funding and potentially expanding the scope of services. The MAT Program is a cornerstone in treating opioid use disorder (OUD), combining FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine and methadone with counseling and behavioral therapies. Some say these treatment strategies have been shown to improve outcomes for individuals struggling with opioid addiction significantly.
Others debate, including MAT programs. “The small number of studies reporting on outcomes of interest and the weaknesses in the body of evidence prevent making strong conclusions about MAT effects on functional outcomes. The literature shows that more research is needed that targets functional outcomes specifically, and there is, in particular, a lack of research evaluating potential differences in functional effects among medication types, the route of administration, treatment modality, and length of treatment,” according to The National Institute of Health. Community Solutions could demand more.
Davidson County has seen a sharp increase in overdose deaths. Questions about funding and where those resources exist for families and related nonprofits continue. According to data from Injury Prevention NC, the county’s overdose fatalities after 2021. This trend underscores the growing need for effective interventions like the MAT Program to support those battling opioid addiction.
In response to the opioid crisis, the county is exploring ways to enhance and refine existing efforts through this amendment.
The MAT Program, which is part of the county’s opioid response strategy, could undergo adjustments through the proposed amendment that may change how services are delivered or who is eligible to receive them.
