Project ANCHOR

About Us

Concerns about the opioid crisis in the United States (U.S.) remain sustained over the past years, as it continues to create havoc in the lives of individuals, families and communities. The economic burden is enormous, putting a huge strain on healthcare, the workforce, and the criminal justice systems. The rate of opioid overdose death and the number of Texas adults reporting non-medical use of pain relievers continue to increase at alarming rates. The issue is even more devasting in the rural communities of the state where one in seven high school students takes prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription.

In Anderson and Cherokee Counties (ACC), a primarily rural community, drug overdose death rates exceed the State of Texas and yet residents suffer from a gross inadequacy of prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Compounding the inadequacy of prevention, treatment, and recovery services within these rural communities, is the lack of adequate information to help paint the true picture of the situation. It is critical to establish a system of care where individuals at risk of opioid use disorder are properly identified, screened/diagnosed, engaged/initiated, and retained in treatment and followed up for remission while addressing identified gaps and disparities in care/services and adapting to changing conditions.

The goal of the proposed ANCHOR project is to build, strengthen and sustain a cascade of care model that will enhance Anderson and Cherokee Counties (ACC) resident’s ability to access OUD/SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery services.