After a decade of experience in harm reduction, MOUD (Medication for Opioid Use Disorder) Patient Care Navigator, Cam Hoorn wanted to learn more about medication-based treatment. That’s when Cam joined HealthPoint’s Substance Use Disorder Care (SUDC) Team. Cam adds, “I love working with medical professionals who focus on medication-based treatment, it allows me to seek opportunities to expand my skills while working for the houseless population.” Cam goes on to explain one of the biggest challenges our communities face that HealthPoint’s SUDC team helps with, “The use of SODA (stay out of drug areas)- areas where, following a criminal charge related to drugs, a person can be arrested again just for being there. These areas surround many of the service providers in these towns, making it risky for people to access resources. HealthPoint has helped fill these gaps with outreach work in to meet people where they are to provide services, and by working with community partners who share patients or participants.” HealthPoint regularly partners with King County Public Health and REACH to provide resources and treatment for those in need.
Another challenge HealthPoint and Cam work hard to address is the fentanyl crisis that has gained momentum in King County in recent years by staying up to date on new protocols to address overdose. Cam explains, “Not only does fentanyl increase overdose risk among our community members, but it has made starting medications like buprenorphine- the primary medication our program utilizes- much more difficult. We continually think of ways on how we can help each person’s needs instead of offering a one-size-fits-all approach and hoping it works for everyone.”
One way we can help organizations like HealthPoint end overdose is by carrying Narcan. Narcan (Naloxone) is a pure antidote to an opioid overdose that comes in either a nasal spray or injection and is available in needle exchange programs, pharmacies, and other locations.
“It is important to continue advocating, educating, and delivering these services because PWUD (People Who Use Drugs) are good people whose lives matter. Harm reduction work, like that of HealthPoint’s SUDC and Whole Care Programs, is not about giving up on people who use drugs or giving up on their ability to recover. It remains important to advocate with policymakers and educate the public about these issues while doing everything we can to restore and/or protect the safety, dignity, and autonomy of people who use drugs in our communities right now.” Cam explained. Simply put, EVERYONE deserves care.
Cam’s career doesn’t stop here; they are currently pursuing a degree in Public Health from the University of Washington which they will use to continue their work in harm reduction. They add, “Public health was the natural choice as it combines public policy, social work, community engagement, and health—a formula that I find to be critical to the work of harm reduction and drug policy.” What first started as a volunteer opportunity over 10 years ago, grew into a lifelong passion for helping others become healthy and whole again.
Learn more about Cam and their work in the video below.