Addressing Substance Use and Misuse in East Texas: Stakeholder-Driven Needs and Priorities

Yordanos M. Tiruneh (), Kimberly S. Elliott, Linda Oyer, Emmanuel Elueze and Vanessa Casanova
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Yordanos M. Tiruneh: Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75708, USA
Kimberly S. Elliott: Department of Health Policy, Economics, and Management, School of Health Professions, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75708, USA
Linda Oyer: East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Longview, TX 75601, USA
Emmanuel Elueze: Graduate Medical Education and Designated Institutional Official, School of Medicine, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75708, USA
Vanessa Casanova: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75708, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-16

Abstract: Background—This project sought to assess needs, perceived challenges, and priorities regarding substance use disorder (SUD) in East Texas and develop a community-driven research agenda to address those challenges. Methods—Data were gathered through nine focus-group discussions (FGDs) with stakeholders: people living with SUD, families, medical providers, counselors, representatives of community-based organizations, and law enforcement officers. We asked participants how substance use manifests in their communities, which challenges they confronted in coping with substance use and misuse, and in which order their needs should be prioritized. Findings were reported at community forums to confirm the list of challenges and prioritize needs. Results—Five themes emerged from the FGDs indicating major challenges: (a) access to SUD treatment and recovery resources, (b) mental health and resiliency, (c) education, training, and professional development to facilitate treatments, (d) care and service coordination, and (e) community/social support for people living with SUD and their families. Conclusions—Significant resources such as financing, collaboration across silos, and community education are needed to effectively manage this public health problem. Our findings can inform research and outreach to help East Texans develop interventions, research programs, and educational opportunities for clinicians, community-based organizations, law enforcement officers, and counselors to build capacity for SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Keywords: substance use; substance misuse; SUD; treatment; prevention; recovery; community based; community health; public health; stakeholders (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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