Opioid Prescribing Behaviors — Prescription Behavior Surveillance System, 11 States, 2010–2016

The Prescription Behavior Surveillance System (PBSS) was created in 2011 to track the rates of prescriptions for controlled substances and the misuse of those drugs. Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are state level programs that collect data on opioid prescribing, average daily dosage, and more that are used in the PBSS. The 11 states that were included represent approximately 38% of the U.S. population, and included two that border Indiana. PBSS data show a decline in opioid prescribing rates in all 11 states from 2010-2016. The data from these states could be applicable for usage in other states in the future to implement PDMPs. Additionally, this may help public health policymakers to recognize changes in the use/misuse of controlled prescription drugs, which could allow for intervention through amended or new opioid-related policies.

Opioid-Related Emergency Department Encounters: Patient, Encounter, and Community Characteristics Associated With Repeated Encounters

Repeated encounters refer to patients who are frequent users of emergency department (ED) services for opioid withdrawal, opioid poisoning and overdose. This study used 2012-2017 data from four Indiana hospital systems and linked encounters for patients across different settings and systems. The study found that, in 2012, 9 percent of opioid-related ED encounters were repeat patients, while by 2017, 34.3 percent were repeat patients. This increase in prevalence of opioid-related encounters may be attributable to policy changes, increased provider awareness of the epidemic or increased availability and use of naloxone. Potential target areas for interventions include ED settings and across the health care system.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Indiana State Museum Opens Exhibit on Opioid Crisis – FIX: Heartbreak and Hope Inside Our Opioid Crisis.

The exhibit opened Feb. 1 and contains more than a dozen personal journeys from the grips of addiction to recovery and hope. The 7,000-square-foot exhibit holds a giant brain to learn the science behind addiction as well as multi-media and hands-on interactives to better inform the participant on multiple aspects of the opioid crisis.

Click here to learn more about the exhibit.

National Survey to Assess Law Enforcement-led Diversion Programs and Fire/EMS-led Responses to the Opioid Crisis

Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities’ (TASC) Center for Health and Justice (CHJ) is asking for responses to a national survey to assess law enforcement-led diversion programs and fire/EMS-led responses to the opioid crisis. The information gathered will help federal, state, tribal and local stakeholders better understand the operational nature of first responder diversion efforts, programs and initiatives. The survey should take about 30 minutes, and the completed surveys are requested within one month.

Who should take the survey? Any law enforcement, fire or EMS agency that operates a program to respond to and divert individuals with problematic substance use to treatment. The survey is best completed by someone within your organization with knowledge about the diversion program operations, staffing, funding and program partnerships.

If you are interested in participating, visit coap-survey.norc.org to register and obtain a survey access code.

Call Kelly Pudelek at NORC 877-774-6569, or email her at COAPNationalSurvey@norc.org with any questions.