As part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Recovery initiative, the “Know the O Facts” awareness campaign helps people learn the facts about opioid use. The more knowledge people have about the effects of opioids, the more likely they will be to avoid misusing them, stop misusing them, and encourage more people to get evidence-based treatment. The campaign recently released a social media toolkit, providing graphics, logos and an explanation of the most effective ways to share this critical message. Please check out the toolkit (under “Social Media Tools”) and join us in sharing the message on social media.
In emergency rooms across the country, survivors of drug overdoses are often discharged without any follow-up for future treatment, creating a missed opportunity in the health system. More training and understanding for emergency department health professionals would improve outcomes after overdose patients are stabilized. ED physicians face many challenges when treating substance use disorder. Indiana is tackling this issue through programs such as Project POINT, which aims to connect nonfatal overdose patients in the ED with naloxone and treatment services.
Meijer recently announced that it is launching its new Consumer Drug Take-Back Program by installing secure in-store kiosks designed to help customers safely and properly dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs at no cost. Customers can find the easily identifiable kiosks in the pharmacy area in all 241 Meijer supercenters across the Midwest. To find a location near you, visit the Meijer website.
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The non-medical use of prescription drugs is becoming a major threat to public health and law enforcement worldwide, with opioids causing the most harm and accounting for 76 percent of deaths where drug use disorders were implicated, according to the latest World Drug Report published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Fentanyl and its analogues remain a problem in North America, while tramadol – an opioid used to treat moderate and moderate-to-severe pain – has become a growing concern in parts of Africa and Asia. The findings of this year’s World Drug Report show that drug markets are expanding, with cocaine and opium production hitting record highs.
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