Biswajeet Sahu’s Post

🚨 Naloxone saves lives — but are we using it enough? 🚨 Published this week in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, a new U.S.-based study, "Trends in Naloxone Co-prescriptions" (Dumbuya, Barnett, & Ip, 2024), highlights critical insights into naloxone co-prescription rates in Iowa from 2019 to 2022. 📊 Key findings from the U.S.: Naloxone co-prescriptions have increased year-over-year, especially for high-risk groups (e.g., those on high opioid doses or concurrent benzodiazepine use). However, significant disparities remain — older patients and those in rural areas are still less likely to receive naloxone. While this research focuses on the United States, the lessons are highly relevant here in the UK. The recent changes to the UK’s Human Medicines Regulations now allow more organisations to supply naloxone, making it easier to get this life-saving medication into the right hands. At Meecham Consulting, we’re ready to help organisations take full advantage of these new regulations by: ✅ Providing training on naloxone distribution and harm reduction strategies ✅ Offering guidance on implementing effective naloxone policies ✅ Supporting efforts to reduce disparities in naloxone access 🔗 Read the full U.S. study here: https://lnkd.in/e_-TFG4m Together, we can reduce overdose deaths and ensure naloxone reaches those who need it most. 💙 #Naloxone #HarmReduction #OpioidCrisis #SaferLives #OverdosePrevention #PolicyChange #MeechamConsulting

The NYTimes article and the many headlines from across the country about the encouraging news on the decrease in drug overdose deaths is a public health milestone worth celebrating! However, now is not the time to become complacent. We must continue prioritizing primary prevention efforts, such as screening for SUD/OUD and overdose risks. Overdose safety planning is crucial and I’m proud that Zero Overdose is leading the charge in this critical work. Together, let's stay vigilant and committed to preventing future overdose events and deaths. https://lnkd.in/eJtYnSbx

📊 Provisional Drug Overdose Deaths in Michigan: A Call to Action for Public Health and Poison Centers 📊 The recent data visualization of drug overdose deaths in the US highlights both the severity of the overdose crisis and the crucial role of Poison Centers in managing and mitigating this public health issue. 🔹 Key Observations: Trend Fluctuations: Michigan has seen fluctuations in overdose deaths over recent years, with recent data showing a promising decline. While encouraging, this trend underscores the need for continued vigilance. 🔹 The Vital Role of Poison Centers: Immediate Response: Poison Centers, like the Michigan Poison & Drug Information Center, provide immediate, life-saving guidance for overdose incidents. By offering around-the-clock support, they are often the first line of defense in emergencies, guiding families and healthcare providers in managing toxic exposures and overdoses. Public Health Resource: Beyond individual cases, Poison Centers gather real-time data on overdose trends, enabling faster identification of emerging drug threats and helping inform public health interventions at local and national levels. Community Education: Poison Centers are actively involved in public education, helping to raise awareness about the dangers of certain substances, the risks of misuse, and preventive measures. Michigan's Poison Center and others across the country are invaluable assets in the fight against the overdose crisis. Their expertise, rapid response, and community outreach are essential to reducing overdose fatalities and supporting public health. Let’s acknowledge and support these centers as they continue to impact community health profoundly. 💙 Reference: https://lnkd.in/g44PYqMm #PublicHealth #PoisonCenters #MichiganPoisonCenter #OpioidCrisis #DrugOverdose #Healthcare

Release Update: The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario shared data on drug toxicity deaths from January 2018 to Q3 2023. Some really interesting data. There was a 9% drop from 2021, showing progress, but rates are still 64% higher than in 2019, indicating a continuing challenge. In Q3 2023, individuals aged 30-59 were most impacted, accounting for 72% of deaths, highlighting the need for targeted support for the working-age population. Males made up 3 out of every 4 deaths since the pandemic began, underscoring the need for gender-specific strategies. The majority of deaths occurred in private residences, emphasizing the need for better support at home. Interestingly, in Q3 2023, bystanders were present in 1 out of 10 fatalities. When present, naloxone was administered in 60% of cases throughout 2023 (to date). Naloxone was used in 1 out of every 4 opioid-related deaths in 2023, regardless of bystander presence, stressing the importance of bystander intervention. Challenges in Analysis: Analyzing naloxone use trends in fatalities is complex due to varied timing of administration. These trends highlight potential use rather than naloxone's effectiveness, which should also consider non-fatal outcomes. Conclusion: This analysis points to the ongoing struggle against the drug poisoning crisis, the critical role of bystander action, and the necessity for increased naloxone accessibility as key areas for continued efforts in this public health emergency. Full report attached.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, opioid overdose deaths decreased slightly from 2021 to 2022. Any number of deaths from opioid deaths is too many. While it is great that emergency personnel have naloxone to help save lives, it still takes them some time to get to the person experiencing the overdose. A NarStop™ in every business would be great to help save some of these people. Find out how you can help make that happen!   #InterventionASAP #harmreduction #EndTheCrisis #NarStop #AddictionAwareness #SaveLives #opioidoverdose #Naloxone https://lnkd.in/g-9EseYg

I'm sorry, but if you have read the Penington report, or any of the Penington reports for the last few years, you will be well aware that it is NOT people who live with chronic pain who are overdosing. Firstly, Australia does NOT have an overdose crisis. Never has had, and opioid overdoses have being FALLING since 2018. Since LONG BEFORE access to opioids were restricted. Secondly, those who are overdosing are NOT people who live with chronic pain. And for the org thats supposed to be advocating for us to be constantly warning of a problem that does not exist and causing anti-opioid stigma making life harder for those who live with constant, severe, pain, is...inappropriate. To say the least. But I guess thats when you get when there is no representation for people who live with severe chronic secondary pain, who rely on opioids for function and quality of life. Please, what are you suggesting? WHAT exactly is your plan? You say nothing. The point of this post is clearly to tie overdoses to chronic pain patients in readers minds. Nothing more, nothing LESS. You're adding to the stigma, for people who live with SEVERE chronic pain. Hardly prioritising our needs!

Narcan is a medication. A human has a mind and body. Using medications to resolve opioid use disorder (OUD), a chronic medical condition that involves the body and mind to prevent overdose deaths is destined to fail because it only addresses half the problem. Only 11% of patients with OUD are getting treatment. Want to save the $1.5 trillion spent and the 112,000 lives lost to overdose deaths ($13 million per death), we should prioritize treatment. The evidence is clear. We have a way to save money and save lives. We just need to start doing it.

💊 Opioid use related to #workerscompensation #claims decreased nearly 10% in 2023, marking one of the largest drops the #workerscomp industry has seen in years, according to a new report. The report also shows a drop in utilization per claim among all but one of the top 10 therapeutic classes (based on cost): migraine medications, which jumped 17%. https://lnkd.in/dBzThsuW #AICC #NARFA #claimsmanagement #drugs #prescriptiondrugs #reporting #medication #medicine #medical #healthcare #health #epidemic #painmanagement #riskmanagement #pharmacy

Overdose Risk Increased Toronto is experiencing a significant increase in suspected opioid overdoses. On April 30th, paramedics responded to three times the average number of daily overdose calls compared to the past month. Changes in Overdose Symptoms Supervised consumption services are reporting unusual overdose presentations. People may exhibit rigidity, flailing, and incoherent speech, rather than the typical slow-moving or unresponsive state. Uncertain Drug Supply Toronto's Drug Checking Service has identified concerning trends in the unregulated drug supply: 🔳 Increased contamination with high-potency opioids 🔳 Increased contamination with benzodiazepines 🔳 Increased contamination with veterinary tranquilizers 🔳 The specific drugs causing these overdoses are unknown. Stay Safe:🔳  🔳 Never use alone. Buddy up with someone you trust.  🔳 Carry naloxone. Free kits are available at many locations. Visit https://lnkd.in/gnzFkku or call 1-800-565-8603 for info.  🔳 Use supervised consumption services if possible. Find locations at https://lnkd.in/gyduda8i  🔳 Have a safety plan if using alone. Arrange for someone to check on you.  🔳 Call the National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-NORS (6677) for support.  🔳 Connect with others virtually through the Brave app.  🔳 Get your drugs checked. Find locations at local drug checking services. For 24/7 support and connection to treatment, call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600. Share this information with everyone. Help keep people safe.

The opioid crisis has been one of the most devastating public health issues in recent American history. For two decades, drug-related opioid overdose deaths have risen year over year. Considering the implications and costs of the crisis (estimated at almost 700 billion dollars in 2018 alone1), many healthcare workers and public health professionals continue to struggle to combat the effects. So how did we get here? What can be done now? What alternatives exist to prescription pain medication?