Southeast Michigan Alliance for Addiction-Free Communities
What is SEMAAC?
SEMAAC aims to empower our community by providing regional leadership and breaking down silos.
The Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC) founded the Southeast Michigan Alliance for Addiction-Free Communities (SEMAAC) task force in 2017. As a response to the ongoing opioid epidemic’s impact on southeast Michigan, SEMAAC was formed to bring together a broad coalition of healthcare, government, business, and nonprofit organizations to fight substance abuse by developing realistic prevention plans, increase education and awareness of substance use disorders, and aid in making access to treatment more equitable. SEMAAC aims to be a resource to employers, provide substance abuse recovery support and education, and above all else, empower our community by providing regional leadership.
Who is SEMAAC?
SEMAAC is an inclusive task force representing the diverse and distinct voices of southeastern Michigan. The SEMAAC table consists of voices from local, state, and federal governments; state and county-level health departments; area hospital systems and health plans; community-level organizations; local and national employers; local and national nonprofits; and other community stakeholders. In accordance with our Mission, Vision & Values, GDAHC continues to build the coalition by developing strategic partnerships so that we can fight this crisis from all angles. Only together can we end the opioid crisis and create truly addiction-free communities.
See a list of SEMAAC members and committees.
What does SEMAAC do?
SEMAAC strives to coordinate with community resources providing awareness and opportunities to collaborate on unique solutions to help in the fight against substance use disorder. This distinctive cross-sector coalition has concentrations in the following areas of needs:
The Education Team is conducting employer conversations and providing educational opportunities and guidance to address substance use disorder in the workplace. Through employer and employee outreach, greater impact can be provided to individuals and their families, helping to sustain a positive and healthy workforce that is free of stigma and that can access alternatives to care.
We are addressing patient barriers by working with health care providers to enhance and simplify access to treatment through provider education, promoting the use of Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), and streamlining the referral process.
We are creating resources, tools, and educational guides that demonstrate the positive ways to present and discuss substance use disorder and recovery. By reducing stigma, recovery becomes hopeful, obtainable, and supported by all communities.
The Advocacy Team works to keep the SEMAAC team aware of changes in legislation and policies that affect prevention and treatment efforts.