last year, there were over 4,000 .
Health Secretary Dr. Kenneth Scheppke traveled to Gulf County on December 7 with Department of Children and Family Secretary Shevaun Harris to comment on the expansion of Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE). CORE is an addiction and opioid treatment network in Palm He piloted his two-year program in Beach County After the success of his program, he expanded to 12 counties statewide. We take an authentic therapeutic approach.
The CORE Network creates a continuous system of care, in addition to patient navigation, to expand the aspects of entering opioid responses and address the primary and secondary effects of substance use disorders.
“The existing standard of care for substance use disorders is outdated. Current overdose responses in much of the United States treat acute overdose without providing access to sustainable care.” “That’s why we developed CORE,” Scheppke said. It facilitates the necessary connectivity between local emergency response and specialty medical networks to connect to
CORE is being rolled out in two stages. Phase I counties include Brevard, Clay, Escambia, Gulf, Marion, Pasco, and Volusia. Phase II counties include Citrus, Duval, Flagler, Manatee, and Pinellas. The division has not announced when the Phase II rollout will begin.
Care for substance use disorders typically includes experiencing an overdose, providing emergency assistance, Narcan or drug detox, developing withdrawal, discharge from care, and potential relapse. The CORE program places care navigators and peer navigators directly within the emergency department. Part of CORE’s process involves bypassing certain hospitals and transferring patients to specialty hospitals like trauma centers.
In addition to recovery from substance use disorders, the CORE program ensures stabilization and treatment of comorbid medical and mental health conditions among patients. CORE also helps patients receive dental care, primary care, psychiatric evaluation, maternal care, and social support services such as career training, housing, and food insecurity.
“The CORE Network is ultimately a testament to Florida’s continued commitment and determination to mitigate the devastating effects of opioids on our children, families and communities,” said Harris. . “By addressing prevention and intervention efforts, we can take a holistic approach that supports our main goal of building strong and resilient families.”
