Reducing Community Substance Use with Strategic Doing

Project: Reducing Substance Use in Henry County, IN

Partners: Community Volunteers, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Henry County Foundation, Henry County Council, Henry County School Corp., and Henry County Health Department.

Mezzo Solutions embarked on a transformative project to address a pressing issue in Henry County, Indiana – substance misuse. The project's vision was encapsulated in a framing question: "Imagine the Henry County, IN community perpetually worked to reduce substance misuse. What would that look like?" This ambitious undertaking was facilitated through Mezzo Solutions by utilizing the Strategic Doing process, involving a collaborative effort to tackle a complex challenge with far-reaching impacts.

Background:

Substance misuse has become a pervasive issue, affecting not only the economy but also families, children, and the overall well-being of Henry County residents. Recognizing the gravity of the problem, a dedicated group of individuals known as Strategic Do(ers) convened at the Henry County Library. Their goal was to devise effective strategies to combat substance use, thereby improving the county's overall quality of life.

Project Scope:

The project's scope was focused on exploring opportunities to reduce substance use to improve the health and well-being of the rural community.

Approach:

What could we do to make an impact on the issue?

By exploring our assets in the room we learned more about what our Strategic Do(ers) had access to as vehicles for support. Once we uncovered what was available we engaged in linking and leveraging discussions to co-create new opportunities through convergent thinking and development.

What should we do based with our expertise and available information?

Deciding on what we should do gave us clarity as to how our assets, opportunities, and expertise could be leveraged into Pathfinder Projects. The Pathfinder Projects are designed to help us make an impact on substance use in Henry County, IN.

By gaining agreement we identified where to start.

The Pathfinder Projects

1.) Enhancing School Substance Misuse Education

2.) Church/Community Education/Triage

3.) Increasing Communication Around Substance Use Prevention and Treatment

What will we do to reduce substance use in the community?

Our initial Pathfinder Project agreed upon by the team was focused on enhancing the substance use education available within the local elementary schools. The "Too Good for Drugs" program was chosen as the foundation due to its evidence-based curriculum and age-appropriate content. A key milestone was the establishment of a partnership with the Local Coordinating Council known as AERIES, a move that strengthened the project's implementation. AERIES provided valuable resources, expertise, and support to ensure the seamless integration of the enhanced substance use education program within the elementary school curriculum.

Outcomes:

The collaborative efforts of Mezzo Solutions and local stakeholders yielded significant outcomes. The "Too Good for Drugs" program was successfully expanded within New Castle Schools in the 22-23 school year, reaching a broader population of elementary students. The project created a ripple effect in the community, sparking conversations about substance use and the importance of prevention from an early age.

Foundation for Future Efforts:

The project laid a strong foundation for ongoing efforts to address substance misuse in Henry County. It showcased the power of collaboration and strategic planning in effecting positive change.

Conclusion:

Mezzo Solutions' project to reduce substance use in Henry County, Indiana is a testament to the potential of collaboration and strategic thinking in solving complex community challenges. By aligning stakeholders, discovering available assets, and fostering partnerships, Mezzo Solutions not only expanded educational opportunities for young students but also paved the way for a healthier and more informed community. This brought us one step closer to achieving the vision of reducing substance misuse rates in the community.

Use the link below to contact Mezzo Solutions to bring a Strategic Doing Workshop to your organization or community.