JACKSON – The Mississippi State Department of Health has launched a statewide program aimed at expanding access to substance use disorder treatment across all 82 counties.
MSDH said the program is designed to identify risk earlier, reduce barriers to treatment and bring support closer to where patients live.
“This work reflects a simple principle: Substance use disorder care should be available earlier, closer to home, and as part of normal health care, not only after a person reaches crisis,” said Dr. Dan Edney, MSDH executive director and state health officer.
The program uses Epic, MSDH’s electronic health record system, and MyChart to help with screening, intervention and follow-up. Across all 84 MSDH clinics, patients complete an annual screening through MyChart before their visit or on a tablet when they arrive.
MSDH officials said the goal is to help clinicians meet patients at different levels of risk. Patients with low-risk screening results receive positive reinforcement, while clinicians receive guidance through Epic as screening results show greater risk.
Following a six-county pilot program, every county in Mississippi is now using the program. Patients who screen at high risk typically receive follow-up care from addiction specialists through video visits, reducing the need for travel.
MSDH said the program is especially important in Mississippi, where many residents face barriers to care, including transportation challenges, provider shortages and limited access to mental health and substance use treatment.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 327,000 Mississippians ages 12 and older who needed substance use treatment did not receive it, based on 2022-2023 annual averages.
MSDH said it is one of the few state health departments in the country to provide direct, clinic-based substance use disorder treatment.
Officials said the agency is also exploring ways to safely extend care into the home for eligible patients as more people successfully engage in treatment.
