ENHANCING SOCIAL SUPPORT: COMMUNITY GROUPS FOR MEN WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN VANCE COUNTY, NC

This proposal seeks to strengthen social and community support for men aged 18&ndash;45 in Vance County, North Carolina, who have past or present substance use disorders (SUD). The social and community context domain of the Social Determinants of Health framework was selected for its vital role in promoting well-being and community resilience. Leveraging local partnerships, including the Granville Vance Public Health Department and the NC Harm Reduction Coalition, this 2-year initiative will be guided by an interdisciplinary and community-driven steering committee to lead efforts which integrate harm reduction practices, enhance data sharing, and reduce stigma through implementation of SUD support groups and public education. Key strategies include community co-design sessions, harm-reduction integration, targeted training for law enforcement, and improved community data access tools to support quality improvement. Despite challenges such as bias against those with SUD, policy barriers, and financial constraints, this community-driven approach seeks to strengthen social connection, advance health equity, and improve community resilience within Vance County. Successful implementation of this proposal will provide guidelines for rural counties working to overcome complex issues with substance use disorder. <br /><em>Keywords</em>: substance use disorders, public health, data transparency, social determinants of health, harm reduction