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Approve the Board of Supervisors’ response to the 2016/2017 Grand Jury Report of May 3, 2017 - “Opioid Risks in Solano County”
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve the Board of Supervisor’s response to the 2016/2017 Grand Jury Report of May 3, 2017 - “Opioid Risks in Solano County.”
SUMMARY:
On May 3, 2017, the Solano County Grand Jury issued a report entitled “Opioid Risks in Solano County.” The report examines the health risks and deaths associated with the abuse of opioid pain medications in Solano County. The report calls for the tracking of opioid related deaths in the County by the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, and, if circumstances escalate, the County Public Health Officer may use his or her statutory enforcement powers to protect the health, safety and welfare of all persons in the County. The report also suggests the implementation of a year-round prescription drug collection program in each community to lessen the chance of medication abuse, especially for medications that are no longer medically necessary.
According to the report, in order to understand the nature and extent of the opioid epidemic, the Grand Jury researched and examined a variety of California codes and websites regulating the investigation of opioid abuse, including - the California Department of Public Health Vital Statistics Query System, the Public Portal of the Attorney General’s Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES), the California Department of Education, the California Opioid Surveillance Dashboard and prescription medication collection websites. The Grand Jury also interviewed staff from the Solano County Department of Health and Social Services, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office and personnel of the Solano County office of Vital Statistics.
The Grand Jury report resulted in five (5) findings and five (5) recommendations. The report identified the Solano County Board of Supervisors, the Director of the Health and Social Services and the Sheriff-Coroner as responding entities.
The Board of Supervisors’ proposed response is set forth in Attachment A - Response to the Grand Jury Report of May 3, 2017: Opioid Risks in Solano County.
Copies of Grand Jury reports are available upon request from the Clerk of the Board or can be viewed on the Grand Jury’s website at: <http://www.solanocourts.com/GrandJury/default.html>
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There are no immediate financial implications related to the recommended actions in this report.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose to disagree with the recommended responses and direct staff to prepare a different or more elaborate response to the Grand Jury.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed the attached response to the Presiding Judge for content and form.