At the Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board meeting held virtually on February 23, 2024, significant discussions unfolded regarding various updates and proposals. Among the topics, the most contentious was the presentation by Dr. Richard Needleman on behalf of the Health Committee.
Dr. Needleman introduced a novel initiative centered on harm reduction strategies. The proposal, termed “Smoking Supply Distribution for Harm Reduction,” aims to implement a pilot project in Buncombe County. The project, championed by Dr. Shuchin Shukla, an addiction medicine specialist recently added to the department, seeks to complement existing harm reduction efforts by providing smoking paraphernalia to drug users.
While the program’s proponents argue its evidence-based nature and potential benefits in reducing disease transmission and overdose risks, it has sparked a wave of debate within the board. Dr. Shukla emphasized the importance of considering equity in harm reduction strategies, further complicating the discussion.
The Subcommittee, along with Dr. Shukla, outlined the next steps, including further discussion and feedback at the March subcommittee meeting, with a potential presentation to the Board for consideration in the coming months.
In addition to this proposal, other updates were presented at the meeting:
- Safety Committee Update: Dr. Dan Frayne presented data on racial equity within the system, emphasizing the need to understand and address disparities in outcomes for children in care.
- Opportunity Committee Update: Phillip Hardin discussed Medicaid expansion efforts and challenges faced by the Economic Services Department, including a significant increase in call volume and the exploration of AI solutions to manage it.
- Energy Programs Update: Kelli Buckner shared insights into the challenges faced by the Energy Programs, particularly after taking over the program previously managed by a contractor. Despite increased volume, the department has managed to assist more clients, albeit with additional staff efforts.
In the realm of new business, Stoney Blevins, the HHS Director, presented the HHS Budget, seeking approval for its recommendation to be presented to the Commissioners. The budget proposal was unanimously approved by the Board.
In her Chairperson’s Report, Amy Lenell emphasized the need to fill vacant positions on the Board, highlighting the vacancies in the Dentist and Engineer roles, urging members to reach out to potential candidates.
More Information:
Board meetings are held virtually (via Zoom) on the 4th Friday of each month from 12:30 – 1:45.
While the public is entitled to attend these meetings, there is no accommodation for members of the public to speak to board members during the meeting.
Previous and upcoming meeting minutes, agendas and other meeting materials are available on their website for public inspection.
A Board Members listing can be found on the HHS website.
Reach out to any of the board members, County Commissioners or to HHS Director Stoney Blevins (at 828/250-5588) to share your thoughts with them on providing taxpayer funded products to addicts so that they may break the law more safely.
