Opioid Task Force - New Hampshire Center for Excellence

Following recommendations from the CDC and World Health Organization related to COVID-19, the Center will not be hosting in person meetings through June. All Task Force meetings and events have been converted to virtual meetings. Please connect with the Task Force Chair or contact us for details regarding virtually connecting to upcoming Task Force meetings.

Opioid Task Force of the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Other Drugs

The Opioid Task Force, formerly the Prescription Drug Task Force, was first convened in 2012 and consists of stakeholders representing business, education, government, health care, emergency services, law enforcement, and community supports. This task force focuses on high priority concerns relative to opioid misuse, identifying and recommending to the Commission needs and strategies for addressing the problem as well as carrying out appropriate action items. Currently, the task force has three goals for the next two years:

Reduce the number of people in NH, particularly young adults, who are misusing opioids (non-medical prescription pain relievers and non-pharmaceutical opioids);
Reduce harm associated with opioid misuse; and
Increase the availability of treatment and recovery support services for people with opioid use disorders.

Please contact the task force chair to confirm meeting schedules and locations.

Meeting Date & Time: Meets second Thursday of every month from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. See meeting schedule for dates. DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS – all meetings will be held virtually until further notice.
Meeting Location: Community Health Institute, 501 South Street, 2nd Floor, Bow, NH
Task Force Chair: Seddon Savage (seddon.r.savage@dartmouth.edu)
Members: Opioid Task Force Members List
Opioid Task Force: Strategic Action Plan

Resources

Opioid Information Card

Beginning on January 1, 2020, per NH statute, all NH pharmacies will be required to include this information card with all opioid prescriptions along with an orange sticker on the prescription bottle cap stating “opioid” and a warning label on the bottle stating “Risk of addiction and overdose”.

This 8.5 x 11 double-sided document is divided into four identical sections. It is recommended that this be printed double-sided on card stock cut into fourths and placed inside the pharmacy bag out of view of customers. Orange card stock to match the cap sticker and catch attention may be preferred if not visible through the prescription bag. Questions may be directed to the NH Board of Pharmacy.

Status of Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Among Individuals Involved with the New Hampshire Justice System

This report reviews findings and opportunities based on information gathered on the distinct components across the NH justice system including pre- and post-trial programs, county jails, and services available through the Department of Corrections (DOC) including state prisons and field services (probation and parole services).

Meeting Materials

2021
January 14 – Agenda & Minutes
February 11 – Agenda & Minutes

2020
January 9 – Agenda & Minutes
February 13 – Agenda & Minutes
April 9 – Agenda & Minutes
May 14 – Agenda & Minutes
June 11 – Agenda & Minutes
July 9 – Agenda & Minutes
September 10 – Agenda & Minutes
October 8 – Agenda & Minutes
November 12 – Agenda & Minutes
December 10 – Agenda & Minutes

2019
January 10 – Agenda & Minutes
February 21 – Agenda & Minutes
March 14 – Agenda & Minutes
April 11 – Agenda & Minutes
May 9 – Agenda & Minutes
June 13 – Agenda & Minutes
July 11 – Meeting canceled
August 8 – Agenda & Minutes
September 12 – Agenda & Minutes
October 10 – Agenda & Minutes
November 12 – Agenda & Minutes
December 12 – Agenda & Minutes

2018
January 11 – Agenda & Minutes
February 8 – Agenda & Minutes
March – No meeting due to weather
April 12 – Agenda & Minutes
May 10 – Agenda & Minutes
June 14 – Agenda & Minutes
July 12 – Agenda & Minutes
August 9 – Agenda & Minutes
September 13 – Agenda & Minutes
October 11 – Agenda & Minutes
November 8 – Agenda & Minutes

2017
January 12 – Agenda & Minutes
February 22 – Agenda & Minutes
March 9 – State Plan Work Session
April 6 – State Plan Work Session
April 21 – State Plan Work Session
May – No meeting
June 8 – Agenda & Minutes
July 13 – Agenda & Minutes
August 10 – Agenda & Minutes
September 14 – Agenda & Minutes
October 12 – Agenda & Minutes

2016
January 13 – Agenda & Minutes
February 10 – Agenda & Minutes
March 10 – Agenda & Minutes
April 14 – Agenda & Minutes
June 30 – Agenda & Minutes
August 11 – Agenda & Minutes
September 8 – Agenda & Minutes
October 13 – Agenda & Minutes
November 10 – Agenda & Minutes
December – State Plan Work Session

2015
January 23 – Agenda & Minutes
February 13 – *No meeting
March 8 – *No meeting
April 3 – Agenda & Minutes
May 8 – Agenda & Minutes
June 12 – Agenda & Minutes
July 10 – *No meeting
August 14 – * No meeting
September 11 – Agenda & Minutes
November 20 – Agenda & Minutes
December 9 – Agenda & Minutes

*This task force has been playing an active role with the implementation of SBIRT and medication assisted treatment, the heroin campaign, and other related initiatives underway during these meeting dates.