East HIA

The East Regional serves 15 counties: Cocke, Jefferson, and Roane.

The East High Impact Area (HIA) supports initiatives to reduce overdose deaths and improve substance use disorder (SUD) outcomes across the region. Programs focus on harm reduction, community education, and collaborative partnerships.

The East HIA is partnered in projects with correctional and justice partners, Helen Ross McNabb Center, Choice Health Network, and Local Health Departments in the East Region as well as the East TN Regional Health Office (ETRO) in the following projects:

Overdose Monitoring and Response Plan

The East Region has developed Overdose Monitoring and Response (OMAR) Plans for the HIA, outlining procedures for identifying, monitoring, and addressing overdose spikes or significant changes in overdose patterns. These county-level plans enable effective and timely responses by leveraging data and engaging community partners.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Program in Jefferson County Detention Center

Community partners have implemented a Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Program and navigation program in the Jefferson County detention center, the first county jail in Tennessee to treat inmates with both Buprenorphine and injectable Naltrexone. The program provides universal screening for SUD/OUD, comprehensive assessments and MOUD for eligible inmates, and connection to community treatment and care before release. An evaluation of the program found that over 66% of participants were retained in MOUD treatment 6 months after initiation.

Expanded Syringe Services Programs

In collaboration with Choice Health Network (CHN), the HIA program has expanded SSP services in Cocke County. SSPs provide comprehensive harm reduction services, sterile syringe distribution and disposal, HIV/HCV testing, overdose prevention education, naloxone distribution, and referrals to treatment and social services.

Please see Tennessee’s SSP resources here.

Linkage to Care

The East Tennessee Regional Health Office has hired program staff to receive referrals for persons at high risk for overdose to provide education, brief intervention, and linkage to care services. Additionally, the East HIA staffs a RISE (Recovery, Information, Support, and Engagement) Navigator at the Roane County Health Department who meets one-on-one with individuals, offering prevention education and linking clients to services and resources.

Please see linkage to care resources here.

Multisector Partnerships

A quarterly, multidisciplinary collaborative meeting of community partners, led by the East Tennessee Regional Substance Misuse Response Coordinators, allows for agencies and individuals involved in SUD to share information and report on progress, destigmatization, and overdose mitigation efforts.

Community Outreach, Prevention, and Education

East HIA coordinators work with local coalitions, public health professionals, and community stakeholders to increase awareness about overdose prevention, substance use, and harm reduction strategies. These initiatives include public events, educational campaigns, and facilitating the distribution of resources, including naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips.

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