Drug Overdose Prevention Information

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June 25, 2019

Here are your weekly opioid epidemic updates from the Indiana State Department of Health:

Law enforcement pre-arrest diversion resource guide

The Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic (SAFE) Project, in collaboration with the Police, Treatment, and Community Collaborative (PTACC), has released a report highlighting the importance of pre-arrest diversion. The report offers five pathways that law enforcement agencies can take to implement pre-arrest diversion programs in their communities. These programs help maximize opportunities for individuals with substance use disorder to receive treatment without fear of arrest. Each pathway has associated case studies substantiating its efficacy.  


How the opioid crisis is leading to elder financial abuse

Elder pain

According to a report released by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), the opioid epidemic is contributing to a rise in financial insecurity among elders. NASAA found two main pathways leading to financial insecurity among this age group. First, grandparents may have to step in financially to take care of grandchildren in instances where their children are battling addiction. Second, seniors themselves may also be overusing opioids and draining their savings to pay for prescriptions. In light of this information, NASAA created a short brochure and conversation starter tips for financial professionals to help them discuss the opioid epidemic with older adults.


The van vs. an opioid addiction: taking treatment to the streets

To bridge the gap between care and substance use disorder treatment, a team in Boston has created the Care Zone van to help end the opioid epidemic. The team includes a doctor, a case manager and a veteran outreach worker to identify and recruit people with substance use disorders into treatment. The idea is to create a connection between the outreach worker and those interested in treatment, eventually having the outreach worker connect those interested with the physician and case manager. In the first 18 months since it was launched, the Care Van has had more than 5,300 street encounters and had 90 percent of its prescriptions filled for Suboxone. Similar efforts are under way in Indiana. The Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction issued a letter of intent in 2017 to support the development of mobile crisis teams. That information can be found here


Architecture for possible nationwide opioid settlement unveiled

pills

Local governments across the nation recently unveiled a plan that would help settle lawsuits resulting from the opioid crisis. The plan stems from local governments across the country suing drugmakers, distributors and street-corner pharmacies. The plan, which could help upwards of 24,000 communities across the United States fight the opioid crisis, still needs to be approved by the federal court in Ohio. The plan calls for local leaders to approve or disapprove of any settlements, with three-fourths of local leaders needing to sign off on any deals that are struck. After the deal is made, the money is paid and the company’s liability in creating the opioid epidemic is ended. The plan calls for roughly 15 percent of the settlement money to be set aside for towns and cities that were hit harder by the opioid crisis.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Webinar: Employment Support Strategies

June 27, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Presenters will discuss a range of employment support strategies and share practical resources that may improve employment outcomes for people with serious mental illness or substance use disorder. One model that will be discussed is Individual Placement and Support, an evidence-based practice that helps individuals obtain competitive employment. Register for this event here.

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Webcast: Prevention Planning and Implementation

July 9, 11:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Prevention experts will show you how to use data-driven decision making to advance prevention outcomes and programs. Find out how organizations collect and use data in assessment, implementation, and evaluation of prevention programs. You'll see how you can use various types and sources of data in your everyday prevention work to ensure positive prevention outcomes. Register for this event here.

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NIATx Change Leader Academy

July 11, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Location: Indianapolis
This interactive and free one-day face-to-face workshop will address improving coalition work through easy to understand quality improvement processes. Anyone interested in leading change or improvement in their prevention organization is encouraged to apply. More information can be found in this informational flyer. Register for this event here.

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2019 Indiana Black & Minority Health Fair

July 18 - 21, Indiana Convention Center, Halls  J&K
The 34th Black and Minority Health Fair will be happening over a four day span in July, during which more than $2,000 worth of free screenings, health education, special guest speakers, cooking demonstrations, entertainment, and healthy activities will be available to the public. The goal of the fair is to increase awareness of chronic disease and how to prevent onset. More information can be found here, and an informational flyer can be found here.

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Fourth Annual ECI Drug Prevention Summit

Sept. 19, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Location: Anderson
Intersect, Inc., Madison County’s substance abuse prevention agency, and The Children’s Bureau will be hosting the Fourth Annual ECI Drug Prevention Summit later this year. The summit will focus on substance abuse and the different drug challenges within the communities of East Central Indiana. Register for this event here.