The "Story Behind the Curve" helps us understand the causes and forces at that work that explain the data behind participation in our Community Needs Assessment research study. When we understand the root causes of our community problems, we have a better chance of finding the right solutions, together.

The Community Needs Assessment research study was started so that people who are currently using substances; have sought treatment for a substance use disorder or sought recovery services; and are at least 18 years old, or 16-18 years old and not living with parents, could give their input on what needs to improve in our community. What their experience has been when seeking treatment or recovery services. There is a stigma around drug use and therefore some efforts to help the problem are not always effective.  The Community Needs Assessment research study was a way for them to help our staff get a better understanding of what the needs are for our community. 

What's Helping What We Do? These are the positive forces at work in our strategy/ program that influence how much we do or how well we do it.

• Social Media advertising

• Incentives

• Word of mouth in the substance use community

What's Hurting What We Do? These are the negative forces at work in our strategy/program that influence how much we do or how well we do it.

• Stigma

• Short time period for interviews

• Connecting with current Substance abuse users or previous users

• Location

The following actions have been identified by our team as ideas for what can work for this performance measure to make a difference on Substance Use.

Actions and Approaches Identified by Our Team These are actions and approaches that we think can make a difference for this performance measure.

• Substance Use Coalition work
• Community Linkage to Care
• Justice-Involved Communicable Disease Education and Vaccination Program

No-cost and Low-cost Ideas Identified by Our Team These are no-cost and low-cost actions and approaches that we think can make a difference for this performance measure.

• Reduce stigma
• Continued Focus Group Interviews
• Community outreach/education

What communities served/customers think would work to do better These are actions and approaches that our communities served/customers think can make a difference for this performance measure.

• Increase access to treatment
• Increase access to mental health counseling
• Increase housing availability

List of Questions/Research Agenda These are questions to follow-up on for this performance measure. If you still need more information about what works to do better, make these questions part of your information & research agenda.

• How can we use the information, given during the needs assessment interviews, to improve Substance Use in our community?
• How can we get the substance users and those in recovery, more involved to help the Substance Use issue?