A SPIN on substance abuse

SANDPOINT — Substance abuse comes in many forms, not only in alcohol and illegal drugs such as methamphetamines or marijuana, but through the misuse of prescription opioids.

Due to a steady increase in substance abuse issues across North Idaho in recent years, it was identified as one of the top four priority areas in Panhandle Health District’s 2018 Community Health Assessment. As such, it was the topic of last week’s Service Provider Information Network meeting, hosted by the Sandpoint Community Resource Center.

“Each one has been larger than the last,” Linnis Jellinek, SCRC executive director, said of the SPIN meetings, adding that 81 people attended on Sept. 10, with 70 of them service providers in the network. “It was a great turnout. Our vision is to use those meetings to allow those service providers to collaborate and connect.”

This year’s quarterly SPIN meetings have each focused on a result from the Community Health Assessment. The top four priorities that came from that assessment were mental illness, access to health care, emergency housing and substance abuse. Last week’s meeting on substance abuse marked the third topic covered this year, with emergency housing to come up in November.

During the meeting, speakers from the Panhandle Health District, the Idaho Lives Project, Kaniksu Behavioral Health, Bonner County drug court, counseling services, Freedom House, and the Union Gospel Mission in Coeur d’Alene, as well as Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler and Sandpoint Police Officer Spencer Smith, who serves as the school resource officer for the Lake Pend Oreille School District, came together to discuss substance abuse awareness and prevention, as well as treatment and recovery.

“There are a lot of committed people who want to make a difference in our community,” Jellinek said.

According to the Panhandle Health District, there were 23 overdose deaths in Bonner County from 2014 to 2018. Bonner County has one of the lowest rates of overdose deaths in North Idaho by population at 10.1 per 100,000 people over those five years. While Shoshone County had fewer overdose deaths during that period at 16, it had the highest death rate per 100,000 people at 25.5. Kootenai County saw the most deaths at 99, however the large population brings the death rate down to 12.9 per 100,000 people.

In addition, according to the Panhandle Health District, 44.8 percent of overdose deaths in North Idaho were from opioid drugs between 2012-2016.

Because there were a number of speakers tackling the substance abuse topic from a variety of perspectives during the meeting, SPIN coordinator Stacey Mueller said it gave everyone hope that, while the problem is a big one, they could “conquer this together.”

One thing that is a focus of the SPIN meetings is encouraging ownership of ideas and solutions, Jellinek said, not just putting ideas down on a whiteboard and walking away.

“What I have noticed from this meeting, because it is such a hot topic, is people have started taking action,” Mueller said.

One of the things Mueller said she was “most encouraged” by that came up during the meeting was when Idaho Lives discussed the Sources of Strength program, which was adopted in the last few years by some of the local schools, including Sandpoint High School and Sandpoint Middle School. Sources of Strength is a national suicide prevention program that focuses on eight “strengths” that encourage social and emotional well-being.

“I like that they are finding solutions — they are being proactive and going after it, and I like that,” Mueller said.

Per feedback from service providers, Jellinek said SPIN is a community asset. People who are part of the network see the value in what they are bringing to the table, as well as what they are getting out of it, she said.

As the network continues to grow, Mueller joined SCRC as the SPIN coordinator in July. She also serves on the board for Forrest Bird Charter School, and has been involved in philanthropy for 25 years, she said.

“So I understand how every nonprofit has a vision to serve and help … I have always been a person that loves to lift up those people and help them get to the next step, and Sandpoint Community Resource Center really does that,” Mueller said.

As a nonprofit, the mission of SCRC is to bridge the gap between those in need and those who serve, and it’s through relationships with service providers and individuals throughout North Idaho that allow the organization to do just that. The name is misleading, however, because although the organization is based in Sandpoint, they strive to help those in need in both Bonner and Boundary counties.

A crisis can include anything from needing help with food, fuel or child care, to housing, mental health issues or substance abuse. While the organization doesn’t directly provide funds or other resources, the group uses its network of service providers to get people the help they need.

The next SPIN meeting on emergency housing will be held from 8-10:30 a.m. on Nov. 12, at the Sandpoint branch of the East Bonner County Library District. To reserve a spot, email spin@sandpointcommunityresource.com or call 208-255-4025.

Information: sandpointcommunityresource.com

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.