More help is on the way for the growing opioid epidemic in Nevada County. Western Sierra Medical Clinic officials say they’ve been awarded a two-year 759-thousand dollar Federal grant that will establish the community’s first medication-assisted treatment program and a safe and effective strategy for decreasing the frequency and quantity of prescription pain medications, as well as heroin. Chief Medical Officer Simi Lyss says they’ll collaborate with local agencies to develop the program, including hiring more staff…
Lyss says an integrated, wellness-centered approach that they’ve already been using has proven to be far more effective. He says many of those being treated are existing patients who had surgery and then were prescribed medication for chronic pain…
Western Sierra says the program will especially help the underserved, including teens, the homeless, and very-low income. Nevada County had the fifth-highest rate of non-fatal emergency room visits related to opioids in the state, in 2013, the latest numbers available.
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