To date, Marathon County, Wisconsin, has implemented various initiatives to combat the opioid overdose and substance use crisis, including increased access to substance use treatment and support services. Despite these efforts, the Marathon County Department of Health determined that the changing landscape of prevention, treatment, and recovery required an in-depth analysis of the county’s current capabilities and the development of a strategic action plan to address gaps in care.
In response, the Marathon County Department of Health partnered with Third Horizon (TH) to conduct a comprehensive gap analysis and needs assessment and to make recommendations relative to the substance use and opioid overdose epidemic in Marathon County. This report is the culmination of that work and provides a thorough analysis of best practices in prevention, treatment, and recovery from SUD, highlights current services available in the county, identifies populations that are disproportionately affected by substance use, and makes recommendations to address needs and gaps in Marathon County.
The Marathon County SUD Gap Analysis underscores the critical need for targeted interventions and resource allocation to combat the complex challenges posed by substance use within the community. Throughout this analysis, key areas of concern have been identified, including the near-term need for non-inpatient detoxification specialty services, increased access to MAT for the treatment of opioid use disorder, an increase in culturally specific services, particularly for those for whom English is a second language, financial support for school-based prevention and the formulation of a countywide SUD response advisory committee and financing for a full-time Public Health Educator specifically focused on supporting SUD response across Marathon County. With respect to long-term needs, access to recovery-oriented housing and the recruitment and retention of emerging SUD treatment professionals, including Peer Recovery Community Organizations, is recommended. By addressing these gaps, Marathon County can significantly improve access to and the quality of SUD care, particularly for underserved populations and those with the greatest need.
Eric Bailly, Senior Director, led the project with assistance from Caleb Allen, Elveena Fareedi, and Mindy Klowden.