Combatting the Opioid Crisis in Colorado's High Country
Before: The Challenges in Colorado's Mountain Counties
Region 5 in Colorado faced significant challenges related to opioid misuse, with high addiction rates, limited resources, and stigma which prevented individuals from seeking help. Following various opioid lawsuit settlements, the State of Colorado established the Region 5 Opioid Abatement Council. This council is made up of five counties -- Summit, Garfield, Lake, Pitkin and Eagle. The counties selected Effct.org to lead an anti-opioid and anti-stigma campaign to improve public health outcomes in the region. Our goal was to unify efforts across the region, creating a resource directory, providing educational information, and ending stigma around opioid use. This goal led to the creation of Community Compass.
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The Process: Building Community Compass
Effct.org used a structured and collaborative approach to develop the Community Compass brand, ensuring it meet's Region 5's unique needs. The Community Compass brand and campaign were launched in less than 6 months. The campaign is ongoing and consists of:
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Our Strategy:
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Research
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Engage community members
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Create the Brand
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Develop a comprehensive website
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Create and advertise content that:
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Shares stories of people with lived experiences​
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Connects people to local recovery resources
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Destigmatizes harm reduction and other best practices
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Campaign Focuses
Reduced Stigma:
We develop targeted messaging and educational content to address and reduce the stigma associated with opioid use and substance use disorder.
Enhanced Community Engagement:
We foster a sense of community and collaboration among residents, healthcare providers, and local organizations.
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Data-Driven Decision Making:
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Provide local leaders with valuable insights from surveys and focus groups, informing more effective and targeted interventions for opioid use and substance use disorder.
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Facilitate ongoing feedback and adjustments to the platform and outreach strategies based on community needs.
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Measure the effectiveness of the campaign based on key outcomes such as reduced opioid overdoses and deaths.
Conclusion:
The Community Compass initiative in Region 5 demonstrates Effct.org's commitment to building impactful public health campaigns. By leveraging a structured and data-driven approach, Effct.org successfully created a platform addressing opioid misuse, fostering a supportive and informed community. The Community Compass highlights the power of collaboration and innovative solutions in tackling public health challenges.
By the Numbers
2,592
220,200+
1,159,900+
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Strategies Utilized
Bilingual Suverys
Effct.org conducted surveys in Region 5 via the opioid abatement council, Reddit, and Facebook to gather insights for the Community Compass brand. We received 101 English and 8 Spanish responses, providing valuable information on community needs and perceptions regarding opioid misuse and stigma.
Bilingual Focus Groups
Effct.org conducted 20 bilingual focus groups, including 16 with Spanish speakers, to gain insights into the community for building the Community Compass brand, campaign, and website. These focus groups helped ensure that our approach was inclusive and effectively addressed the unique needs of Region 5.
Meta Ads
Effct.org created and launched Meta Ads for the Community Compass campaign to raise brand awareness and educational materials. These ads effectively drove traffic to the website, connecting people with essential resources and support available in the community.
Website Creation
Effct.org built the Community Compass website to support Region 5, featuring a resource directory with 34 local resources, educational materials, and insights on community events. This user-friendly platform provides vital support and information to address opioid misuse and foster community engagement.
See the Website
in Action
Visit our comprehensive website featuring over 34 resources, educational content, and events. The Community Compass website is designed to help individuals in Region 5 counties find the nearest available resources in their area. Click the button below to explore it for yourself.
Example Content
The Community Compass campaign's content focused on education, awareness, and anti-stigma efforts related to opioid misuse. Through engaging articles, videos, and stories shared on social media, the campaign raised awareness and encouraged visits to the Community Compass website. The site, featuring 34 local resources, provided essential services, healthcare providers, and educational materials to support Region 5's diverse communities.
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Check out our social media content at the
icons below:
Effct Produced Videos
