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20 Results (showing 1 - 10)
Results sorted by updated date (oldest first)
Results sorted by updated date (oldest first)
Posted 3/9/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
A disproportionate number of people in jails have substance use disorders (SUDs).1 Incarceration provides a valuable opportunity for identifying SUD and addressing withdrawal.* Within the first few hours and days of detainment, individuals who have suddenly stopped using alcohol, opioids, or other drugs may experience withdrawal symptoms, particularly when they have used the substances heavily or long-term. Without its identification and timely subsequent medical attention, withdrawal can lead to serious injury or death. Deaths from withdrawal are preventable, and jail administrators have a pressing responsibility to establish and implement withdrawal policy and protocols that will save lives and ensure legal compliance. This brief describes the scope of the challenge, provides an overview of constitutional rights and key legislation related to substance use withdrawal, and outlines steps for creating a comprehensive response to SUD.
Posted 3/23/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
Over the past 20 years, drug overdose deaths have increased dramatically in the United States. Most of these deaths involved opioids, including prescription pain medications, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. These are called opioid-related overdoses and often occur as a result of respiratory depression caused by opioids, even when other medications and drugs are involved.
Posted 6/27/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
Naloxone leave behind programs are a popular public health intervention for combatting the opioid epidemic. These programs are designed for first responders to educate and equip high risk, nonmedical individuals to respond to opioid overdose scenarios. However, stigma and misconceptions regarding naloxone remain common among medical providers, including emergency medical services (EMS) members.
Posted 4/6/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
County jails and community organizations across Michigan are teaming up on a new approach to distribute naloxone (Narcan®), the lifesaving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose, through the use of customized vending machines.
Posted 4/26/2022 (updated 3/27/2024)
Background: The US overdose crisis is driven by fentanyl, heroin, and prescription opioids. One evidence-based policy response has been to broaden naloxone distribution, but how much naloxone a community would need to reduce the incidence of fatal overdose is unclear. We aimed to estimate state-level US naloxone need in 2017 across three main naloxone access points (community-based programmes, provider prescription, and pharmacy-initiated distribution) and by dominant opioid epidemic type (fentanyl, heroin, and prescription opioid).
Posted 4/28/2023 (updated 3/27/2024)
With the proliferation of fentanyl and other adulterants in the national illicit drug supply, people who use drugs (PWUD) are at greater risk of overdose. Among more than 107,000 drug overdose deaths that occurred between July 2021–June 2022, 64% involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Lowering the high rates of overdose among PWUD is possible, as evidence-based practices exist to prevent and respond to overdose, including fentanyl test strips and advanced drug checking equipment. To inform health departments’ harm reduction programming, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing – with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – developed Enhancing Harm Reduction Services in Health Departments: Fentanyl Test Strips and Other Drug Checking Equipment, an educational brief grounded by real-world experience.
Posted 7/14/2023 (updated 3/28/2024)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has compiled a Harm Reduction Framework document that will inform the agency's activities, policies, programs, and practices. The framework document includes SAMHSA's six pillars of harm reduction as well as supporting principles and core practice areas.
Posted 4/6/2020 (updated 3/28/2024)
Opioid overdose death rates were reduced in communities where overdose education and nasal naloxone distribution (OEND) was implemented. This study provides observational evidence that by training potential bystanders to prevent, recognize, and respond to opioid overdoses, OEND is an effective intervention.
Posted 11/21/2019 (updated 3/28/2024)
Opioid overdose is reversible through the timely administration of naloxone, which has been used by emergency medical services for decades.
Posted 6/16/2020 (updated 3/28/2024)
At least 95 percent of individuals in state prisons will eventually return to communities. In fact, in a typical year more than half a million people do so, with many more coming from jails. A disproportionate share of these individuals have one or more chronic illnesses, including more than half who met the criteria for a non-alcohol and nicotine-related substance use disorder from 2007 to 2009, according to the latest available data.