Does Klamath Falls Have a Drug Problem?
Similar to the state of Oregon, Klamath Falls is not immune to the overall drug problem in the United States. National overdose death rates from the National Institute on Drug Abuse have steadily increased since the late 1990s until a slight drop occurred between 2017 and 2018, which is the most current data available. While the recent decrease is an improvement, this continues to be a serious national crisis that affects public health in many areas. According to the CDC, overdoses from prescription opioid pain relievers are a driving factor in the increase in opioid overdose deaths. Additionally, other drug and alcohol abuse continue to be an ever-growing national issue, but in Klamath Falls, these are top concerns among community members and drive much of the local public health priorities.
Klamath Falls is Part of Oregon's Drug ProblemThe same upward drug-involved overdose death trend is seen across Oregon including Klamath Falls, which is just a small part of the bigger opioid overdose crisis epidemic affecting all of America. Healthy Klamath is directly addressing drug problems in Klamath Falls by continually monitoring drug related indicators like deaths due to opioid overdose, hospital admission rates due to drug overdoses and death rates due to alcohol consumption.According to the most recent available data in 2018, Klamath Falls opioid deaths per 100,000 people were below Oregon’s state average and had decreased from the prior value. Deaths related to opioid abuse have seen a downward trend in recent years. This is a direct result of the cross-sector relationships and collaborative work of the community. Local agencies are partnering together to address opioid and other overdose-related deaths. Transformations Wellness Center is a local facility who recently received grant funding to expand their services to include addressing opioid addiction. Additionally, Klamath Basin Behavior Health (KBBH) and Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) provide a wide range of health services and programs. Addiction treatment is tailored to adolescents and adults seeking help. Services include group therapy, peer support, family therapy, and relapse prevention. In October of 2016, the Klamath County Opioid Task Force was established as subgroup of Klamath County’s Local Public Safety Coordinating Council. This group is comprised of public safety officials, county leadership, mental health organizations, the medical community including pharmacy and oral health, and members of the public. Its goal is to identify the opioid problem and promote collaborative approaches to prevention and response. The Task Force was motivated by the 85 overdose deaths between 2002 and 2016. In addition to keeping a close watch on the data, the Task Force has implemented two pilot projects: Prescription Drug Return Drop-Box and SaferLock® Community Engagement. They have placed permanent return boxes for unwanted prescriptions throughout the community, providing safe disposal locations.Drug Prevention Practices in Klamath FallsHealthy Klamath is committed to the public health of Klamath Falls with multiple evidence-based practices in place to help its community rise above the National drug problem. Starting early, the Too Good For Drugs (TGFD) is a 10-lesson substance abuse prevention curriculum used in kindergarten through eighth grade designed to reduce students' intentions to use alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. Another promising practice fighting alcohol and drug problems in Klamath Falls is the Staying Alive Drug Overdose Prevention and Response Program which helps to teach drug users about how to recognize opiate overdose signs and symptoms, how to respond, and how to use rescue breathing and naloxone administration to reduce life-threatening drug overdose. The goal of this practice is working to reduce mortality rates due to opiate and heroin drug users. Healthy Klamath coalition members and youth-focused programs such as Citizens for Safe Schools and Friends of the Children – Klamath Basin are leading efforts to provide strong, positive, mentoring relationships to youth facing great obstacles in the community. A positive role model outside the home is a proven way to help reduce risks of substance abuse later in life. Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations, and increases resiliency, safety, and character into adulthood. Local mentors are intentional about drug awareness and education with their mentees, and strive to create a safe space for youth to discuss challenges they may be facing. This investment in children in Klamath Falls is yet one more way that well-being continues to be at the forefront for community leaders. Project Changes, led by Lutheran Community Services Northwest helps youth and adolescents in Klamath Falls’ Junior High and High Schools to build resilience, leadership skills, and manage stress. Through research-based prevention and intervention curriculums, Luther Community Services is able to align across disciplines for a community-focused approach to preventing and addressing drug and alcohol abuse in the community. The program offers onsite mental health services in schools across Klamath County, free of charge to the student population. The services include alcohol and drug assessments, mental health referrals, action plans, and treatment services. Having professionals such as mentors and behavioral health specialists in our schools is critical to address root causes that may lead to future substance abuse. Local Substance Abuse Resources in Klamath FallsWhile many practices are in place for drug education and preventing drug related deaths, substance abuse is a reality no matter where you are. Klamath Falls has many local drug rehab and alcohol treatment centers for people who are ready to get help including The Recovery Village and Transformations Wellness Center. These places support people in taking the first steps toward getting help for their drug and alcohol usage and having drug-free lifestyles. Two close partners of the Healthy Klamath Coalition include Klamath Basin Behavioral Health and Lutheran Community Services Northwest. Both organizations, along with Klamath Tribal Health, provide substance abuse treatment and work hard across sectors to address concerns with drug abuse and its impact on the community. Since 2014, plans have been underway for the Klamath Works Campus, which when fully realized will be a social services hub for the Klamath Basin. The campus currently houses, Sky Lakes Outpatient Care Management, Klamath Falls Gospel Mission, Klamath Works, and a sobering station. Opening in 2021, the sobering station will be staffed with professionals from KBBH, and will process individuals who are intoxicated until they have reached sobriety. The sobering station will free up jail space and the hospital and provides the care individuals need to address the root cause of substance abuse issues. The Klamath Works Campus is yet one more shining example of how the small but strong community of Klamath Falls has forged tight-knit relationships across disciplines to move the community forward. Healthy Klamath coalition partners are working together to continue to monitor community needs via data indicators on HealthyKlamath.org and through the Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan process. Every three years, Cascade Health Alliance, Sky Lakes Medical Center, Klamath County Public Health and Klamath Health Partnership seek input from residents of Klamath County to ensure that the organizations’ focus is addressing concerns of the people that call the Klamath Basin Home. With the data in-hand multi-discipline work groups are formed to mobilize and take action to address the top concerns. Together, champions within Klamath Falls are keeping a pulse on the health trends and urgent needs of its residents. In this close-knit community, we know that the best way to move the community forward is through addressing the needs of residents and finding solutions together. |
Citizens for Safe Schools is one of several local youth-focused mentoring groups in Klamath County. A key focus of mentors is to address concerns and provide a safe place for children and adolescents to discuss concerns related to drug and alcohol abuse. The Klamath Works Campus, once fully realized, will not only have on-site job skills training, but also will provide health care, self-sufficiency skills, and a sobering station. The campus has been in development and is now home to The Gospel Mission, Klamath Works, and Sky Lakes Outpatient Care Management. Sky Lakes Medical Center, a Health Klamath core four partner, who has made significant investments to not only help those with medical needs, but also help address systemic issues that contribute to future poor health outcomes, such as substance abuse, or food insecurity. |