Substance misuse prevention program launches for pregnant and parenting women 

MyTime is a 10-week substance misuse prevention program for pregnant and parenting women who are seeking to reduce the effects of substance misuse in their lives, acquire improved life skills, and learn more about nurturing parenting. MyTime is a community space where women can connect, recharge, and grow. MyTime provides childcare and meals so the women participating can focus on themselves.

How does substance use prevention work in Vermont?

In 2023, four Vermont Prevention Lead organizations were established to ensure coordinated prevention work statewide. These organizations:

• serve as fiscal agents to smaller community organizations
• coordinate activity through a regional advisory structure,
• and work with district partners to allocate substance misuse prevention funding in their region. 

The Vermont Department of Health contracted with JG Research and Evaluation to evaluate Vermont’s substance misuse prevention system. We continue to use data from this evaluation to inform our understanding of the landscape of substance misuse prevention in Vermont.
 

Some of the findings: 

• Prevention Consultants were identified as a valued and important connection between the Health Department and prevention partners throughout the state

• 375 unique organizations were identified as being connected to one or more of the four regional Prevention Lead Organizations

• The Prevention Lead Organizations are expanding prevention to more populations who are at high-risk of the impacts of substance use. This includes LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, youth, and people who are unhoused.

New virtual screening system for public inebriate services

The Vermont Department of Health is modernizing the Public Inebriate Program (PIP) screening process. These changes will support more consistent and timely screenings for people experiencing substance use crises. The redesign implements a centralized 24/7 screening tool system performed virtually by Recovery House.

The new virtual system:

• allows individuals to receive faster access to the services and care they need;
• reduces time spent by law enforcement transporting individuals for screening;
• and lessens the burden on emergency departments to conduct screenings.

The virtual screening tool began pilot programs in select counties on March 18th. Initial feedback from the Vermont State Police – Williston Barracks was overwhelmingly positive: the virtual screening has reduced the process from at least two hours to just thirty minutes.

Statewide implementation is planned for July.

Substance use data and reports released this quarter

Find data briefs, reports, assessments, survey results and other publications on alcohol, opioids, cannabis and overall substance use in Vermont as well as analyses that inform Health Department efforts on addressing substance use.

• Substance Use Workforce is Essential
• Vermont Community Drug Checking - Year 1 Data Summary
• Change in Method of Use in Fatal Overdoses 2019-2024
• Nonfatal Alcohol Poisonings
• Naloxone Distribution and Administration – Community Quarterly Report 

Community drug-checking program data

Vermont Department of Health has published the Vermont Community Drug-Checking Program Data Summary for Year 1.

• Programs found a small number of detections of “emergent drugs” including medetomidine, nitazines, and carfentanil.
• The presence of these drugs in Vermont is concerning; they indicate a changing and adulterated drug supply. 

What holiday results in the most nonfatal alcohol

poisoning?

The Department of Health recently published data on Nonfatal Alcohol Poisonings in Vermont.


Some key findings:


• Emergency department visits for nonfatal alcohol poisonings are more common than visits for all other drug overdoses.
• Middle aged men are most likely to experience alcohol poisonings.
• The weekends and days near holidays like Saint Patrick’s Day are when alcohol poisoning rates are most elevated.

Naloxone now available for free through VADIC


The mission of the Vermont Alcohol and Drug Information Clearinghouse (VADIC) is to provide Vermont residents, community organizations, and other partners with easy access to important resources and materials for substance use programs and campaigns. These publications and resources are free to all Vermonters. 


Individual naloxone and Overdose Prevention Kits can be ordered through VADIC. The new system makes ordering easier and delivery faster. Get yours and check out our great health information materials today!

Recovery Housing funding opportunity

The Vermont Department of Health is currently accepting proposals to fund and operate Substance Use Disorder Recovery Residences. Our goal is to support safe, home-like environments that promote individual recovery.

To ensure comprehensive care, these residences must offer eight required health and social support services, either directly or through agreements with community partners.

Proposals are due April 23rd.

Recovery Service Certifications are underway!

As of April 1, the Vermont Department of Health has completed 9 out of 12 certification site visits for Recovery Service Organizations, and all 12 statewide recovery service organizations have submitted applications to become certified!

The Recovery Service Organization Certification is the culmination of a years-long planning process that included adopting administrative rules, developing standards, and compliance tools.

Expanded online supports for substance use services workforce

To support Vermont's substance use workforce, we highlight careers, live and self-paced learning opportunities and other professional development opportunities.

• Find live trainings, webinars, conferences and other events that support continuous learning on the Training Opportunities Calendar.
• Find information on what working in these careers looks like, and potential workplace settings on the Substance Use Careers page.
• Find organizations that host on-demand webinars, recorded trainings, and other resources the on Self-Paced Learning page.