As overdose rates in Marion County have increased, the rate of hepatitis C has also increased to 10 times the amount from 2012 to 2018, according to the Institute for Intergovernmental Research. About 86% of these cases were related to injection drug use, and Marion County received a grant to fund harm reduction activities and supplies, specifically related to the syringe service program (SSP).
SSPs target the complex issues related to drug overdoses, as well as preventing the spread of infectious diseases that can result from substance use. These programs have peer recovery coaches on the front lines, handing out clean syringes for individuals affected by substance use disorders while educating them about recovery options and reducing barriers preventing these individuals from receiving care. Program coordinators have been holding educational trainings for law enforcement. The Marion County Public Health Department continues to conduct a study evaluating the outcomes associated with the SSP.
A recent paper published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention utilized data from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS). The study found that in recent years, the factors of overdose deaths have changed from being cause by one particular drug to involving several substances. Approximately 80% of overdose deaths involved opioids, and three out of four of those deaths also involved illicitly manufactured fentanyls (IMFs).
About 85% of all deaths included other illicit drugs: heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines. This information is important to the public health response to outbreaks and informs the interventions and policies used to address the outbreak. It also ensures resources are going to the right places and doing what they intend to do for the affected community.
Many EMS calls associated with overdose are for the same individuals that EMS professionals have treated before. EMS professionals are focused on providing physical relief from overdose, but the root cause of the overdose is never addressed. A program called “Five Minutes to Help” has been designed and implemented to prevent the current cycle of emergency medical service (EMS) calls to overdose health crises.
The online module and classroom activities educate EMS professionals on motivational interviewing and applying it to drug overdose situations. The program also educates about the stigma associated with substance use disorder and what resources are available for affected individuals. These measures hope to change EMS perception of those with substance use disorder and allow frustrated professionals the opportunity to help the individual recover, even if they have to offer resources to the individual multiple times before they accept help. With decreased calls, it can also alleviate the financial burden of these overdoses on the EMS system.
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