A recent report from the Presidents’ Commission on Opioid Addiction confirms that Opioid use is a serious public health issue. Data show that drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of injury death in the United States from both prescription and non-prescription drugs. In the US in 2015, 12.5 million people misused prescription opioids; 33,000 of those died from overdosing, while 828,000 used heroin - with 12,989 deaths because of overdosing.

Brenda DelGado, Clinical Workforce Advisor

Several state and federal agencies are working in a coordinated effort to identify solutions. Here in Connecticut, CHCACT continues to work in partnership with health centers, community organizations and government agencies to assess patient and provider training needs and to provide the resources needed to:

- ensure providers and patients know the options for pain management;

- ensure that health centers are aware of all relevant state and federal laws; and,

- to maintain and expand services to people needing opioid treatment.

CT identified opioids as a public health crisis about 4 years ago and during that time has passed several laws, as well as developed the CT Opioid Response (CORE) initiative. CORE uses time sensitive data to look at medical, public health and policy initiatives to treat opioids and reduce overdoses. 2015 data show Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven, Bridgeport and Norwich as cities where overdoses from both heroin and opioids are most common. In CT, a total of 724 people died from either heroin or other opioids in 2015.

CT also uses the Federal Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) to ensure its residents are not “doctor shopping” or using additional medications that are incompatible with their opioid prescriptions. A unique asset in CT is the funding of “recovery coaches” in some emergency departments to help support those interested in obtaining immediate access to treatment. We know that both education at all levels of health care delivery and access to treatment are key components to helping CT reach its goal of “decreasing the adverse impact of opioids on CT residents with the immediate emphasis on reducing overdose mortality.” Current laws also provide for many medical professions to receive related trainings to deliver Narcan to avoid overdose deaths.

Using these multidisciplinary approaches, health centers, policymakers and other partners can help to stem this epidemic.

Have a great week!

Brenda