Governor Maggie Hassan has announced the recommendations from our state's Senior Director of Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health, Jack Wozmak.

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1) Increase Narcan Availability

Develop an implementation plan for the recently enacted legislation making naloxone (Narcan) available to third parties. While the legislature authorized family members to obtain prescriptions for Narcan, families are reporting difficulties in accessing and filling prescriptions. Work in a collaborative effort with the New Hampshire Medical Society, the New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, the major pharmacy chains (Walmart, Walgreen’s, Rite Aid, CVS) and others to formulate working protocols for prescribing, distribution and patient education for Narcan prescriptions. Protocols by September 2015.

2) Move up the Expansion of Substance Abuse Services to the Existing Medicaid Population

Moving up implementation of the expansion of substance abuse services to the existing Medicaid population will help fill an important gap in treatment services, and support efforts to expand treatment options.

3) Reauthorize the New Hampshire Health Protection Program

In less than a year, the New Hampshire Health Protection Program has provided thousands of Granite Staters with substance abuse and behavioral health treatment services. However, New Hampshire still lacks an adequate network of substance abuse providers, including in-treatment facilities. Uncertainty about the future of NHHPP is deterring critical investments in new treatment options.

4) Expand Drug Courts and Treatment Options

New Hampshire should review and expand Drug Courts, and continue work to leverage Medicaid to expand treatment options for individuals on probation and parole.

5) Better Utilize the State’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP):

The PDMP is an essential tool to identify sources of prescription drug diversion. Legislation passed in 2015 will allow for access and use of valuable prescribing information not previously available. By improving the ease of use of the PDMP and enhancing its capabilities, it will no longer be an underutilized resource. We will begin analyzing prescribing patterns and exchanging this data with other Northeast states, consistent with the national goal of monitoring the abuse of narcotics. Establish metrics by October 2015.

6) Expand Health Care Provider Education on Best Practices Regarding Opioid Prescribing

Coordinate the scheduling of continuing medical education for best practices related to opioid prescribing and alternative approaches to chronic pain management. Prescription drug abuse is often a pre-cursor to heroin use. Linking education providers with each major hospital & medical center and coordinating the roll-out of this education is a critical function of this position in order to effectively reach the more than 12,000 licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, dentists and veterinarians authorized to prescribe narcotics. The New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) has agreed to provide funding for this important effort and the Boston University School of Medicine has developed a highly regarded education curriculum and agreed to provide the training. Educational programs should begin in the fall.

7) Review State Medicaid System Policies Regarding Opioid Prescribing

In coordination with the Governor’s Commission, the Managed Care Companies and New Hampshire Medicaid, examine reimbursement and other policies regarding Medicaid’s opioid coverage practices. Make recommendations to the Governor, Commissioner and the legislature regarding changes and/or restrictions in reimbursements or dispensing regulations pertaining to opioid medications. Identify and remove perverse incentives that reimburse for opioids over other treatment options, such as physical therapy, and recommend the development of clinically appropriate responses to chronic pain management from the insurance reimbursement point of view. Report by December 2015.

8) Develop a System to Monitor Parity Compliance

Coordinate the efforts of the University of New Hampshire Institute of Health Law and Policy Program, the New Hampshire Department of Insurance, the New Hampshire Providers Association and others to examine the policies of each health insurance company licensed in New Hampshire to ensure compliance with requirements for parity in substance abuse and behavioral health coverage. Make recommendations for removing ”first-fail” barriers and certain prior authorization practices that delay the initiation of appropriate clinical treatment.

9) Facilitate the Implementation of Programs and Prevention Efforts for Schools

Partner with the New Hampshire Department of Education, the New Hampshire Endowment for Health, the New Hampshire Children’s Behavioral Health Collaborative, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, the New Hampshire School Administrators Association, the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services and others to cultivate and sustain an integrated, comprehensive children’s behavioral health system in New Hampshire schools and to expand Student Assistance Programs; targeting 12-17 year olds, and providing extensive assessment of substance use issues in 18-25 year olds, especially related to the New Hampshire opioid/heroin epidemic.

10) Assess the Need for Mandatory SUD/BH Coverage

Facilitate the work of the Governor’s Commission and the New Hampshire Department of Insurance to examine and make recommendations regarding legislation/regulation requiring coverage for substance abuse treatment for anyone admitted to an emergency room or other medical facility with an overdose. Report by December 2015.

11) Implement the Use of Naltrexone (Vivitrol) in Correctional Settings

Partner with the New Hampshire Department of Corrections to develop a pilot program for offering inmates for Naltrexone prior to reentry into the community. Naltrexone aids in the prevention of drug-use relapse when part of a comprehensive reentry program. This will increase the likelihood of success as an inmate transitions into the community or longer-term sober housing situation. First pilot program launched by November 2015.

12) Partner with New Hampshire 211 to Expand Access for Individuals Seeking Information on Treatment and Recovery Services

Leveraging the information on-line at NHTreatment.org, New Hampshire should partner with the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services, NH 211, the New Hampshire Medical Society and others to develop and expand access to a statewide database of available treatment services accessible to clinicians and consumers by phone and internet.

a. As a subset of this, consider creating a provider hotline to offer decision support for prescribers. This might be hosted by the New Hampshire Medical Society or one/more of the major medical centers with opioid/pain management specialties.

13) Expand Treatment Options

Develop recommendations for New Hampshire regarding the availability of services within the state, cognizant of the individualized approach to assessment guided by the ASAM treatment criteria (American Society of Addiction Medicine) for the approximate balance between Outpatient Services, Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization Services, Intensive Outpatient, Partial Hospitalization Services and Clinically Managed Residential Services. This will be a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services, treatment providers and others. Report by March 2016.

14) Establish a Network of Independent, Standardized Assessment Centers

In cooperation with existing healthcare facilities, establish substance use/behavioral health assessment centers to provide valid, independent standardized assessments using ASAM criteria to determine the appropriate cost-effective level of care.

15) Consider Strict Regulation/Oversight of Methadone Clinics

Request the Governor’s Commission, in cooperation with the New Hampshire Medical Society and the New Hampshire Department of Justice, to develop recommendations on methadone treatment centers and protocols. Seek recommendations that are compatible with the move towards integrating substance misuse and behavioral health issues into primary care settings. Closely review the value and efficacy of free-standing clinics.

16) Review Regulation/Oversight of Free-Standing Pain Clinics

Request the Governor’s Commission, in cooperation with the New Hampshire Medical Society and the New Hampshire Department of Justice, to develop recommendations on free-standing, independent pain centers. Seek recommendations that are compatible with the move towards integrating pain management issues into primary care settings or into medical centers having pain management protocols.

17) Increase the Number of Medication Take-Back Boxes

There are currently 33 medication drop boxes in New Hampshire located only at police departments. Legislation has cleared the way for boxes to be located at pharmacies. Partner with the pharmacies to establish acceptable policies and procedures to allow medication drop boxes at most pharmacies.

18) Establish Increased Housing Opportunities for Those with Substance Misuse/Behavioral Health Disorders

Review New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority policies to expand housing options for people in recovery. Gather data on the impact housing policies have on this vulnerable population with particular regard to Bridge housing and Section 8. Partner with Governor’s Commission to make recommendations for policy changes, if appropriate.

19) Increase Transitional Housing for Women

With particular regard for the hundreds of women released from prison and jail each year, many with substance abuse issues, the need for transitional housing is critical. Develop proposals with a goal of adding 200 beds of transitional housing for women dispersed around the state.

20) Increase the Availability of Data to Law Enforcement Agencies

Integrate/centralize the aggregation of drug enforcement data to create an improved statistical database relating to drug use and trafficking and make this information available to all law enforcement agencies in real-time.

21) Facilitate the Creation of a Coordinated Statewide Telehealth System

There is currently no statewide coordinated telehealth/telemedicine system in New Hampshire although some small pilot projects have evolved. A statewide coordinated system can become a fundamental tool in the delivery of a coordinated continuum of care for SUB/BH as well as all medical and mental health conditions. Report by December 2016.

22) Establish a Network of Recovery Houses

Recovery Houses for those in recovery are a very important element of reducing recidivism and relapse. Support the efforts of New Hampshire Hope for Recovery to establish 12 Recovery Houses.

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