Investigating Opiate-Overdose Deaths

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd F. Prough
Keyword(s):  
Overdose Deaths

A Thematic Analysis of Overdose Prevention and Response Efforts in States Experiencing Declines in Rates of Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths

2021 ◽  
pp. 003335492110268
Author(s):  
Amber B. Robinson ◽  
Nida Ali ◽  
Olga Costa ◽  
Cherie Rooks-Peck ◽  
Amy Sorensen-Alawad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Data Access ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Opioid Overdose ◽  
Overdose Prevention ◽  
Core Elements ◽  
Specific Activities ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Overdose Deaths

Objective To address the opioid overdose epidemic, it is important to understand the broad scope of efforts under way in states, particularly states in which the rate of opioid-involved overdose deaths is declining. The primary objective of this study was to examine core elements of overdose prevention activities in 4 states with a high rate of opioid-involved overdose deaths that experienced a decrease in opioid-involved overdose deaths from 2016 to 2017. Methods We identified 5 states experiencing decreases in age-adjusted mortality rates for opioid-involved overdoses from 2016 to 2017 and examined their overdose prevention programs via program narratives developed with collaborators from each state’s overdose prevention program. These program narratives used 10 predetermined categories to organize activities: legislative policies; strategic planning; data access, capacity, and dissemination; capacity building; public-facing resources (eg, web-based dashboards); training resources; enhancements and improvements to prescription drug monitoring programs; linkage to care; treatment; and community-focused initiatives. Using qualitative thematic analysis techniques, core elements and context-specific activities emerged. Results In the predetermined categories of programmatic activities, we identified the following core elements of overdose prevention and response: comprehensive state policies; strategic planning; local engagement; data access, capacity, and dissemination; training of professional audiences (eg, prescribers); treatment infrastructure; and harm reduction. Conclusions The identification of core elements and context-specific activities underscores the importance of implementation and adaptation of evidence-based prevention strategies, interdisciplinary partnerships, and collaborations to address opioid overdose. Further evaluation of these state programs and other overdose prevention efforts in states where mortality rates for opioid-involved overdoses declined should focus on impact, optimal timing, and combinations of program activities during the life span of an overdose prevention program.

scholarly journals Confronting Two Crises: The COVID-19 Pandemic, the Opioid Epidemic, and the Industrial Hygienist

2021 ◽  
pp. 104829112110295
Author(s):  
Jonathan Rosen ◽  
Peter Harnett
Keyword(s):  
Disease Control ◽  
Drug Overdose ◽  
Industrial Hygiene ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
Opioid Epidemic ◽  
Opioid Misuse ◽  
Opioid Crisis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Overdose Deaths ◽  
Industrial Hygienist

This article was originally written for and published in the January 2021 issue of The Synergist, a monthly publication of the American Industrial Hygiene Association. The article addresses the convergence of the COVID-19 and opioid crises, the impact of the opioid crisis on the workplace and workers, and the role that industrial hygienists can play in developing workplace programs to prevent and respond to opioid misuse. While the article is specifically written for industrial hygienists, the review and recommendations will be useful to others who are developing workplace opioid prevention programs. Note that the data presented in this article were current as of January 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest available data are for the twelve-month period ending October 2020 and include 88,990 total overdose deaths and 91,862 predicted, when reporting is completed. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm (accessed on 15 June 2021).

Championing Change to Save Lives: A Call to Action to Implement Reforms to Increase Use of Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder in Correctional Settings

2020 ◽  
pp. 073401682098162
Author(s):  
Sonia L. Canzater ◽  
Regina M. LaBelle
Keyword(s):  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Opioid Use Disorder ◽  
Correctional Facilities ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
Evidence Based Treatment ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Correctional Settings ◽  
Overdose Deaths

The disproportional rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) in U.S. correctional facilities make them prime intervention points to treat OUD utilizing medication to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD), the evidence-based clinical standard of care. MOUD has been shown to be effective to support recovery and reduce recurrence of OUD, overdose deaths, and recidivism for justice-involved persons both while incarcerated and once they reenter their communities. Despite the high prevalence, most jails and prisons do not offer MOUD. Litigation has spurred expanded access in more facilities, but widespread MOUD access can only become a reality through a comprehensive effort of corrections officials, medical experts, advocates, legislators, and other champions to raise awareness and affect ideological and policy change. It is a legal and ethical imperative that the lives of justice-involved persons not be jeopardized by the lack of evidence-based treatment for OUD in correctional settings.

scholarly journals An Effective and Safe Enkephalin Analog for Antinociception

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 927
Author(s):  
KK DurgaRao Viswanadham ◽  
Roland Böttger ◽  
Lukas Hohenwarter ◽  
Anne Nguyen ◽  
Elham Rouhollahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Dependence ◽  
Opioid Peptide ◽  
Vehicle Group ◽  
Endogenous Opioid ◽  
Endogenous Opioid Peptide ◽  
Extended Plasma ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Overdose Deaths ◽  
Plasma Half Life ◽  
Small Hydrophobic

Opioids account for 69,000 overdose deaths per annum worldwide and cause serious side effects. Safer analgesics are urgently needed. The endogenous opioid peptide Leu-Enkephalin (Leu-ENK) is ineffective when introduced peripherally due to poor stability and limited membrane permeability. We developed a focused library of Leu-ENK analogs containing small hydrophobic modifications. N-pivaloyl analog KK-103 showed the highest binding affinity to the delta opioid receptor (68% relative to Leu-ENK) and an extended plasma half-life of 37 h. In the murine hot-plate model, subcutaneous KK-103 showed 10-fold improved anticonception (142%MPE·h) compared to Leu-ENK (14%MPE·h). In the formalin model, KK-103 reduced the licking and biting time to ~50% relative to the vehicle group. KK-103 was shown to act through the opioid receptors in the central nervous system. In contrast to morphine, KK-103 was longer-lasting and did not induce breathing depression, physical dependence, and tolerance, showing potential as a safe and effective analgesic.

scholarly journals Investigating Community Pharmacy Take Home Naloxone Dispensing during COVID-19: The Impact of One Public Health Crisis on Another

Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
George Daskalakis ◽  
Ashley Cid ◽  
Kelly Grindrod ◽  
Michael A. Beazely
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Pharmacy Technicians ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Overdose Deaths

A recent report found that the number of opioid-related deaths in Ontario in the first 15 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic was 38.2% higher than in the 15 weeks before the pandemic. Our study sought to determine if pharmacy professionals self-reported an increase or decrease in naloxone provision due to the pandemic and to identify adjustments made by pharmacy professionals to dispense naloxone during the pandemic. A total of 231 Ontario community pharmacy professionals completed an online survey. Pharmacy professionals’ barriers, facilitators, and comfort level with dispensing naloxone before and during the pandemic were identified. The sample consisted of mostly pharmacists (99.1%). Over half (51.1%) reported no change in naloxone dispensing, while 22.9% of respondents reported an increase and 24.7% a decrease. The most common adjustments made during the pandemic were training patients how to administer naloxone over video or phone, delivering naloxone kits, and pharmacy technicians offering naloxone at prescription intake. Over half (55%) of participants said the top barrier for dispensing was that patients did not request naloxone. Naloxone distribution through pharmacies could be further optimized to address the increased incidence of overdose deaths during the pandemic. Future research should investigate the reasons for changes in naloxone dispensing.

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