Emergency Preparedness and Response Program
• Developed and implemented corrective actions and improvement plan for THD COVID-19 Response After Action Report
• Updated the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for the agency. Incorporated new user-friendly template and introduced Program Specific COOP
• Mpox Response
• Engaged with internal and external partners to implement post-pandemic improvements
Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps (OKMRC)
• OKMRC Stress Response Team Severe Weather Deployment for wind/small tornado events across Oklahoma during Father’s Day severe weather event
• Tulsa County OKMRC received $111,250 in grant funds to build response capabilities and enhance website interface to better support volunteers and track personnel resources
Community Partnerships
• Mpox education for Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) staff in August 2022 and Youth Services of Tulsa staff in Sep 2022
• Partnered with Health Outreach Prevention Education, Inc (H.O.P.E.) testing for equitable training and resources for STIs
• Collaborated with Take Control Initiative, H.O.P.E. Testing, Amplify, John 3:16, Southern Plains Tribal Board and Mental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK) for sharing/distributing of specific resources
• Partnered with Health Outreach Prevention Education, Inc (H.O.P.E.) testing for equitable training and resources for STIs
• Collaborated with Take Control Initiative, H.O.P.E. Testing, Amplify, John 3:16, Southern Plains Tribal Board and Mental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK) for sharing/distributing of specific resources
Community Engagements
• Attended several Tulsa Farmer’s Market and gave information specific to mpox education, vaccine information and other relevant resources. Engaged with about 300 people
• Attended several Food on the Move with THD clinic staff to distribute condoms and vaccine info. Engaged with about 150 people
• Provided condoms, info on HIV/STI self-test kits, info on mpox vaccine, etc. to MHAOK for attending events
• Attended several Food on the Move with THD clinic staff to distribute condoms and vaccine info. Engaged with about 150 people
• Provided condoms, info on HIV/STI self-test kits, info on mpox vaccine, etc. to MHAOK for attending events
Regional Prevention Coordinators (RPC)
Regional Prevention Coordinators provide regional prevention services by engaging community members, local organizations, public agencies, youth and the media to change community conditions that contribute to alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) related problems.
Stop DUI Task Force
Stop DUI Task Force's goal is to reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities through public education, awareness, legislation, policies and environmental and enforcement strategies.
Tree of Life Campaign
The Tree of Life campaign, held annually in remembrance of victims of drunk driving, was held at Woodland Hills mall in December 2022. Members of our Stop DUI Task Force coalition, members of law enforcement and various community agencies decorated the Tree of Life which serves as a stark reminder of local lives lost to drunk diving.
86 presents were placed beneath the tree to represent the 86 lives lost to drunk driving in Tulsa County since 2018. The ABLE Commission, Community Based Prevention Services (CBPS) staff, and Stop DUI hosted the official Tree Lighting Ceremony and press conference on December 19, 2022. Representatives from the ABLE Commission, Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, local police departments, Ascension St. John Medical Center, and Tulsa County Health Department's CBPS Program discussed the importance of not over-consuming alcohol, using designated drivers and ride-sharing services, and preventing underage drinking and social hosting.
Stop DUI disseminated materials on underage drinking, social host, and adult binge drinking materials at a resource table next to the Tree of Life. They encouraged community members to stop by and take the pledge not to drink and drive during the holiday season.
Outreach on Hispanic radio platform
Stop DUI Task Force has a consistent presence on Que Buena, one of Tulsa’s largest Hispanic radio platforms. The station has up to 87,000 people listening daily. This outreach effort allows THD to highlight prevention messaging and data on adult and underage binge drinking, and informed listeners of Oklahoma's social host law. Listeners can call in, ask questions and voice concerns.
Prevention Messaging on Valentine’s Day
Stop DUI Task Force distributed 300 cards to around 15 liquor stores around City of Tulsa. The cards feature creative messages that promote safe alcohol consumption, dangers of drinking and driving, and social host which is providing alcohol to those who are underage for 2023 Valentine’s Day. The liquor stores passed out the cards to customers which aided in safe consumption of alcohol in Tulsa county.
Red Ribbon Week
Prevention Messaging on Valentine's Day 2023
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week takes place on the last week of October each year. It promotes awareness to help kids stay drug and alcohol free. Stop DUI Task Force has worked in conjunction with Tulsa Public Schools the last two years.
Our coalition organized the Red Ribbon Week event at two Tulsa Public schools, Kendall Whittier Elementary and Bell Elementary School on October 25-26, 2022. Kendall Whittier Elementary is attended by 716 students daily, of those 716 students, 451 students are Hispanic. Bell Elementary School is attended by 389 students daily and 34% of those students are Hispanic.
Members of our coalition welcomed students back to school from Fall Break by encouraging students to be positive and make smart decisions by not using or abusing alcohol and drugs.
Our coalition also partnered with several athletic teams from Tulsa including Tulsa Youth Athletic Association and Union Elementary 4th Grade Black football team to create public service announcements that were featured on social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram.
Your Presence Is A Gift Campaign
The 'Your Presence Is A Gift' campaign was created to showcase family members and friends of those who were killed in drunk driving accidents, loved ones share memories and good times as well as sharing the impact of the loss they have suffered, encouraging others not to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
In 2022, our social media campaign featured a drunk driving accident survivor, Stacey Willis. Stacey is a mother of three and is the founder of a women's empowerment group here in Tulsa. Stacey was brave enough to share her story of survival for our video which we featured on our Facebook page and spoke at our press conference.
In 2022, our social media campaign featured a drunk driving accident survivor, Stacey Willis. Stacey is a mother of three and is the founder of a women's empowerment group here in Tulsa. Stacey was brave enough to share her story of survival for our video which we featured on our Facebook page and spoke at our press conference.
In April 2022 she and her boyfriend were hit head on by a drunk driver and was hospitalized for weeks. Both Stacey and her partner had to undergo multiple surgeries and therapy after sustaining life-threatening injuries. We are working with Stacey to have her speak at more events and share her testimony with the community.
Coalition Against Prescription and Substance Abuse of Tulsa (CAPSAT)
The mission of CAPSAT is bring diverse organizations/stakeholders and individuals together to change policies, systems, and environments for the prevention of substance abuse.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Take Back Events for Tulsa County
CAPSAT, along with the assistance of the Regional Prevention Coordinators (RPC) team, led and coordinated the DEA Fall Take Back Events for Tulsa County. CAPSAT increased the number of Rx Drug Take Back site locations from 10 in FY2021-20122 to 12 in FY2022-2023. New partnerships with Walmart Stores and Pharmacies emerged from the addition of their stores leading take back events.
Additional community partners such as: Nathan Hale Jr. ROTC, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD), DEA, TPD, Walgreens Pharmacy, Walmart, Reasor’s Foods, the Met, Elks Lodge, and the City of Tulsa Water & Sewer, etc.
Substantial amounts of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription drugs were removed from Tulsa County resident’s homes aiding in safe and proper medication disposal efforts.
Substantial amounts of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription drugs were removed from Tulsa County resident’s homes aiding in safe and proper medication disposal efforts.
• Oct 29, 2022: 1,300lbs for Tulsa County
• Apr 22, 2023: 577lbs for Tulsa County
• Apr 22, 2023: 577lbs for Tulsa County
Our RPC Program conducts yearly substance abuse prevention training for Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps (JROTC) students at Nathan Hale High School. The team has conducted the training for three years for the purpose of aiding to meet a training requirement for youth participating in the JROTC program. Training topics include emerging substance abuse trends on opioid, stimulant, fentanyl, & Rx drugs, Rx take back event protocols and procedures, the importance of parents, grandparents, and caregivers properly disposing of and securely storing Rx medications in the home, etc.
The JROTC youths participated in the biannual community prescription drug take back events. The students assist with event set up & take down, traffic control, distributing prevention informational resources and disposal kits as well providing education and resources to community members dropping off medications.
Educational Trainings at University of Tulsa (TU)
In collaboration with Oklahoma State University National Center for Wellness and Recovery (NCWR) and Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), our CAPSAT program provided two educational trainings on March 23, 2023. The training attendees included TU Security/Law Enforcement team, TU Greek Life representatives, Resident Life, Sorority Life and Resident Assistants, etc.
Educational training topics included naloxone and harm reduction, current opioid/fentanyl/stimulant trends, safe use of opioid and stimulant medications, best practices when securely storing and properly disposing of prescription medication methods. All attendees including student life, faculty, and law enforcement received naloxone kits provided by ODMHSAS. Law enforcement also received CLEET training hours.
Trainings at Tulsa Fire Department
CAPSAT, in partnership with OSU NCWR, conducted six trainings for the Tulsa Fire Department in May 2023. The attendees were representatives from Tulsa Fire Department Refresher Health Groups which included EMSA, paramedics, and fire.
Training topics include:
• An analysis of opioid and substance use trends in Tulsa County
• Opioid prescribing data, opioid, fentanyl and prescription drug overdose data
• CAPSAT’s strategies
‣Taking opioid & prescription medications as prescribed
‣ Proper disposal and secure storage of opioid and prescription medications
‣ Harm reduction strategies including Narcan
• Prevention calls to actions and strategies on ways to provide education to community members while on emergency calls at homes regarding overdoses due to prescription medications
Training topics include:
• An analysis of opioid and substance use trends in Tulsa County
• Opioid prescribing data, opioid, fentanyl and prescription drug overdose data
• CAPSAT’s strategies
‣Taking opioid & prescription medications as prescribed
‣ Proper disposal and secure storage of opioid and prescription medications
‣ Harm reduction strategies including Narcan
• Prevention calls to actions and strategies on ways to provide education to community members while on emergency calls at homes regarding overdoses due to prescription medications
Since May 2023, RPC staff and NCWR have continued to provide quarterly trainings that are now mandated by Tulsa Fire Department.
Expansion of Opioid & Stimulant Abuse Prevention Services Across North Tulsa
Tulsa RPC and CAPSAT focused on the expansion of preventative strategies, measures, and dissemination of resources within Tulsa’s African American community.
Partnership with the Oklahoma Pastors & Ministers Association (OPMA)
• Our RPC team partnered with the Oklahoma Pastors & Ministers Association (OPMA) in April 2023 for an expansion of prevention services within North Tulsa’s African American Churches
• OPMA is an African American led association that contacted our Community Based Prevention Services program for assistance due to numerous deaths of African American teens and young adults in numerous church congregations
• CAPSAT and our RPC team partnered with OSU NCWR to present a community forum, “How Fentanyl, Opioids & Stimulants are Affecting our Community”
• Provided 100 prescription medication disposal bags, 75 lock boxes and numerous opioid, fentanyl and stimulant abuse prevention resources to the forum attendees
Funk Fentanyl Forum and Concert
The RPC team and CAPSAT partnered to assist with a community forum geared towards preventing, reducing, and creating an awareness of the amount of fentanyl and opioid overdoses and overdose deaths consuming African American teens and young adults.
The Funk Fentanyl Forum and Concert, a first of its kind was held on June 3, 2023.
• Featured guest speakers such as Tulsa’s District Attorney, local Tulsa music artists, Families Helping Families, support groups and prevention & treatment agencies
• Purpose: To raise awareness of poisons such as fentanyl and opioids sweeping our nation as well as to increase awareness of the dangers of fentanyl and opioid abuse & overdose deaths happening locally in Tulsa County as well as across the state of Oklahoma
• Attendees were provided education, prevention messaging, free resources to help prevent and reduce fentanyl and opioid overdoses across Tulsa
• Disseminated over 250+ opioid and 300+ fentanyl abuse prevention resource materials, 125 lock boxes to aid in secure storage of Rx/opioid medications, and 150+ Rx medication disposal bags
Community and Staff In-Service Educational Trainings
Numerous community and staff in-service educational trainings were conducted throughout FY2022-2023.
900+ lock boxes and 1,500+ personal disposal medication bags provided to Tulsa community members
The RPC team participates in numerous community events and disseminated thousands of opioid and stimulant abuse prevention resource handouts throughout the fiscal year via CAPSAT resource tables and community partnerships with local pharmacies.
CAPSAT Resource Table
Epidemiology
• Conducted 4 outbreak investigations related to community establishments
• Participated in working up 3 enteric illness clusters that had both regional and national implications
• Provided vector, respiratory, general disease prevention, and hand hygiene education to 3407 individuals
• 19 community presentations to 282 individuals covering Mpox, Emerging Infectious Disease, Hand Hygiene, COVID, Vectors, Preterm Birth, Infant Mortality, Influenza, Folic Acid, and the Epidemiology Program
• 20 media interviews regarding COVID-19, Mpox, Influenza, RSV, General Respiratory Prevention, and West Nile Virus (mosquito prevention)
Cyclosporiasis cases in Oklahoma
Our Epidemiology team worked with the Oklahoma State Department of Health Infectious Disease Prevention and Response team to investigate an increase in Cyclosporiasis cases in Oklahoma. Cyclosporiasis is a diarrheal illness caused by a single-celled parasite called Cyclospora cayetanensis. It is spread by consumption of contaminated food or water, which becomes contaminated after exposure to fecal matter from ill individuals. THD epidemiologists conducted numerous disease investigation interviews to collect pertinent information about each ill individual’s symptoms and food history to better inform the national outbreak investigation.
BeHeard Movement's Pop-Up Care Village
Our Epidemiology team provided resources to those experiencing homelessness in Tulsa County during the event on Mar 17, 2023.
• Engaged with 150 individuals
• Created and distributed 250 Hand Hygiene kits to participants
• Provided resources for Hepatitis C testing and treatment
• THD Maternal Child Health Outreach distributed information on insurance, medical relief and THD resources
• Created and distributed 250 Hand Hygiene kits to participants
• Provided resources for Hepatitis C testing and treatment
• THD Maternal Child Health Outreach distributed information on insurance, medical relief and THD resources
Oklahoma State Department of Health brought a mobile clinic for on-site testing and treatment of STIs.
One participant was so full of despair concerning his current situation that he expressed suicidal thoughts and possible intent. He was able to connect with counseling professionals at the event and was given further resources to aid in his situation.
One participant was so full of despair concerning his current situation that he expressed suicidal thoughts and possible intent. He was able to connect with counseling professionals at the event and was given further resources to aid in his situation.
Vector Education: Bug Out Day on Jun 10, 2023
The Nature Programs Manager at Oxley Nature Center created an event specific for Tulsa Health Department based on previous collaborations. The event was titled “Bug Out Day” with Oklahoma State University Extension’s Entomologists and Master Gardeners along with our Environmental Specialists and Epidemiology representative. Our programs connected with 100 Tulsa County residents providing education on ticks and mosquitos.
Public Health Awareness and Education
THD Epidemiologists developed and presented 'The Nightmare Buffet' for both internal and external partners. This immersive educational experience simulates the work of an epidemiologist investigating a foodborne outbreak. Through a fusion of science, creativity, and hands-on learning, participants delved into the world of food safety and epidemiology, gaining invaluable insights into preventing and managing an outbreak. The Nightmare Buffet exemplifies our interest in creating innovative and engaging educational initiatives.
Epidemiology Disease Investigations
• Cryptosporidiosis: 28 cases
• Campylobacter: 142 cases
• Coronavirus: 36,067 cases
• E. coli: 33 cases
• H. flu: 19 cases
• HAV: 1 cases
• HBV: 419 cases
• HCV: 2,094 cases
• Meningitis: 0 cases
• Measles: 0 cases
• Mumps: 0 cases
• Pertussis: 0 cases
• Salmonellosis: 101 cases
• Shigellosis: 12 cases
• Tickborne (RMSF and Ehrlichiosis): 1 case
• West Nile Virus: 7 cases
• Mumps: 0 cases
• Pertussis: 0 cases
• Salmonellosis: 101 cases
• Shigellosis: 12 cases
• Tickborne (RMSF and Ehrlichiosis): 1 case
• West Nile Virus: 7 cases
*This case count only reflects the number of confirmed and probable cases. Case count can vary based on classification changes and surveillance review
TSET Healthy Living Program
The TSET Healthy Living Program serving Tulsa County is a community-based grant that strives to prevent and reduce tobacco use and obesity across Tulsa County.
Recipe Cards For Food Pantries
Our TSET Healthy Living Program partnered with nine food pantries across Tulsa county to provide them with recipe racks and recipe cards. This assists the six traditional food pantries and three food pantries in the school system, helping their clients learn how to use certain food and vegetables that may be new to them. Our Healthy Living Program also partnered with three food pantries —Catholic Charities, East Central High School, and Neighbors Along the Line—to create food pantry gardens that promote sustainability.
Sensory Hallway/Pathway for Four Elementary Schools
Our TSET Healthy Living Program partnered with four elementary schools in Tulsa and Glenpool to create nature-themed sensory hallway/pathway where kids can move and exercise in the building between classes and during unfavorable weather.
Tobacco Retailer Education Visits
Working with community partners, our TSET Healthy Living Program has conducted 100 tobacco retailer education visits at local stores in a strategic effort to keep more underage persons from ever starting tobacco use.
When a visit takes place, an underage person will enter a store and ask to buy a tobacco product but with no intent to purchase it. Tobacco sales are prohibited by federal and state laws to anyone under the age of 21.
The visits are not meant to entrap local retailers, but rather to raise awareness of laws that prohibit tobacco and vape sales to underage persons. Clerks who are willing to complete a would-be sale will be reminded of the law, while those who refuse to sell will be acknowledged and thanked.
Raise Minimum Age To Purchase Tobacco In Four Jurisdictions
Our TSET Healthy Living Program helped four jurisdictions —Tulsa, Collinsville, Sand Springs and Jenks —update their ordinances to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21 years old, aligning with state and federal law.
