CDC Report Shows State-level Costs of the Opioid Crisis in 2017

Fatal opioid overdoses and opioid use disorder had a significant impact on some states in 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) April 2021 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The study reports an estimated 56,000 opioid use disorder cases in 2017, with 1,176 of those cases being fatal. The total combined cost of opioid use disorder and fatal opioid overdose was $26 billion in Indiana. The costs were calculated by combining spending on health care, opioid use disorder treatment, criminal justice, lost work productivity, and estimates of cost for lost quality of life and lives lost. The image above shows per capita combined costs of opioid use disorder and fatal opioid overdose divided by state population and are expressed in 2017 U.S. dollars.

Statewide workgroup submits 2021 report

The new annual State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) report and summary drug fact sheets for 2020 are now publicly available on the IUPUI Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health website. The primary aim in preparing the annual report document is to provide a useful reference tool for policymakers, communities, and professionals involved in substance use prevention and mental health promotion. The summary drug fact sheet offers a quick summary on misuse of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, opioids and stimulants, as well as the occurrence of mental illness and suicide in Indiana.  The report and summary drug fact sheets can be found here. SEOW also finished a report on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on behavioral health in Indiana, which can be found here. The SEOW Symposium was May 21 and can be accessed here.

Several Indiana Cities Opt Out of Opioid Lawsuit

Several Indiana cities are opting out of the Indiana attorney general’s pending lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors, reasoning that they believe they will receive a larger share from their own litigation filed in response to the nation’s opioid epidemic. Indianapolis, South Bend, Lafayette and other municipalities have decided to forgo potential payments from the lawsuits filed by the attorney general's office. A state law requires cities and counties that want to pursue their own legal action to ‘opt out’ of the attorney general’s lawsuits by June 30. Under Indiana’s plan, the state will receive 15% of any settlement, localities will split 15% and the Family and Social Services Administration will receive 70% to distribute around the state, with local governments deciding how to spend about half of it. Municipalities that have decided to opt out will have another 60 days to opt back in if they choose.

Great Lakes PTTC Needs Assessment Survey

The Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) invites you to take a Needs Assessment survey to inform its work to develop free training, technical assistance services and other resources to support your prevention work and professional development. Your responses to this survey will help them determine what prevention related trainings and resources to include in workplans submitted to SAMHSA and how best to provide them.

Follow us! @INDTrauma

Check out our website:

UPCOMING EVENTS

OPIODS and TBI – An Unrecognized Relationship

This webinar is an introduction to traumatic brain injury (TBI)-specific issues related to prescribing opioids and opioid misuse. In this webinar, TBI researchers and expert practitioners will provide practical recommendations intended to reduce the rate of opioid misuse and overdose for a particularly high-risk group of people with TBI. Presenters will cover What is a TBI?, How to Screen for TBI, Increased Risk for Opioid Misuse follow TBI, Review of Recommendations and Where to Find Brain Injury Resources & Supports.

Click for part 1 and part 2. 

The Future of Teleservices in Drug Courts (Part 2): Planning for Teleservices—Assessing Needs and Identifying Opportunities

1 – 3 p.m. EDT, Wed., June 30

 Part II of this three-part Virtual Learning Community will review the many considerations for treatment court practitioners to address as they plan for adoption or more permanent expansion of teleservices, including (a) assessment of organizational readiness and fit, (b) assessment of client readiness and fit, and (c) staff and client training needs. The goal of this webinar is to provide practitioners with a comprehensive strategy for building a strong foundation for teleservices.

Click here to register.

Intersection of Prevention and Recovery Webinar --Session 2

10 a.m. – noon EDT, Tuesday, June 29 (Session 2)

This 2-part webinar series is designed to inform and raise awareness of prevention and recovery community professionals about the intersection between substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and recovery approaches. The series will demonstrate how the fields of prevention and recovery share common goals and explore ways professionals can collaborate and coordinate activities that work toward improving community health and wellness.  Attendance is required for both sessions. There will be an opportunity to continue the conversation in the upcoming Learning Lab series in July and August. More information on the Learning Labs will be provided at the end of session 2.

Click here to register.

Drug Courts Virtual Learning Community (Part 3): Introducing the MOUD Toolkit

2 – 4 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, June 29

In coordination with National Association of Drug Court Professionals, this webinar will introduce the Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD Toolkit). The toolkit presents practical tools and resources for treatment court teams and will assist teams in their efforts to make critical connections with local jails and treatment providers. The emphasis of this webinar will be on fostering partnerships and developing agreements to ensure access to community-based treatment services and supports for drug court participants.

Click here to register.

Understanding and Making a Difference for Pregnant and Parenting Women with SUDs

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 30

Join Great Lakes Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) to examine current trends, best practices, and innovations in addressing the needs of pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders (SUDs), their infants, and their families. Following this training, the Great Lakes ATTC is hosting a learning community for providers that want to take a deeper dive into effective services for pregnant and parenting women.

Click here to register.