Addressing Substance Use and Misuse in East Texas: Stakeholder-Driven Needs and Priorities

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community-Based Research
• Substance Use Disorders

Background:

• Substance use disorder (SUD) poses significant public health challenges.
• Community-specific needs and priorities for SUD intervention are often under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess needs, challenges, and priorities related to SUD in East Texas.
• To develop a community-driven research agenda for addressing SUD.

Main Methods:

• Nine focus-group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with diverse stakeholders.
• Participants included individuals with SUD, families, healthcare providers, counselors, community organizations, and law enforcement.
• Findings were validated and prioritized through community forums.

Main Results:

• Five major challenge themes emerged: treatment access, mental health/resiliency, professional training, care coordination, and social support.
• Key needs include financing, inter-organizational collaboration, and community education.

Conclusions:

• Effective SUD management requires substantial resources, cross-sector collaboration, and enhanced community education.
• Findings can guide the development of targeted interventions, research, and training programs for various professional groups.