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The Prevention of Prescription Drug Abuse in the Workplace (PAW) TA Center addresses prescription drug abuse—a growing public health problem with increasing burdens on workers, workplaces, and our economy. To subscribe colleagues, family members, or friends to this listserv sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), please click here or send their e-mail addresses to [email protected].
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Featured
P. Leece, A.M. Orkin, and M. Kahan. 2015. "Tamper-Resistant Drugs Cannot Solve the Opioid Crisis." Commentary, Canadian Medical Association Journal, doi:10.1503/cmaj.150329.
In an effort to combat prescription misuse, draft Canadian government regulations would force all oxycodone products to be tamper resistant. The authors believe tamper-resistant pain relievers are an industry-friendly, ineffective "gimmick." Their research review shows tamper resistance has not reduced oxycodone-related addiction and death. Notably, opioid-related deaths in Ontario continued to rise after "tamper-resistant" OxyContin replaced less resistant formulations in 2012. The authors fear doctors will prescribe more opioids if the drugs continue to be marketed as "safer formulations." They argue proposed regulations may serve "merely to line the pockets of drug companies while diverting policymakers' attention away from more meaningful and effective interventions." The authors want a comprehensive strategy focused on better prescription practices, earlier recognition of misuse, and increased access to effective treatment programs.
Read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/tamper-resistant-oxycodone-called-a-gimmick-in-growing-opioid-crisis-1.3131848
http://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2015/06/29/cmaj.150329
OxyContin Maker Bows Out of Meeting on Harder-to-Abuse Drug
Matthew Perrone, ABC News
June 30, 2015
With only a week's notice, Purdue Pharma pulled out of a 2-day Food and Drug Administration (FDA) committee meeting to review the effectiveness of its tamper-resistant OxyContin. Purdue said it needed more time to review and analyze its data. The meeting was called to evaluate whether the drug's abuse-deterrent features actually translate into reduced misuse among pain patients. According to ABC News, "FDA meetings are typically planned months in advance, and cancellations are highly unusual. The agency must present detailed evaluations of the company's application and coordinate travel for outside experts who advise the federal government." Purdue was instructed by the FDA to conduct long-term follow-up studies tracking rates of misuse, addiction, overdose, and death with the modified drug.
Read more:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/oxycontin-maker-bows-meeting-harder-abuse-drug-32133759
Workers Injured in Construction, Manufacturing at Highest Risk for Prescription Painkiller Abuse
Donlon, Rosalie, PropertyCasualty360
July 1, 2015
CNA, the eighth largest U.S. workers' compensation (WC) insurer, analyzed its 2009–13 injury claims data on construction and manufacturing industries—both of which have high rates of substance abuse. Opioid spending was 20 percent of total prescription spending in construction, compared with 14 percent in manufacturing and 10 percent in all other industries combined. In construction, claims costs over 3 years were 36 percent higher for those at high opiate abuse risk and 30 percent higher for those at low/medium abuse risk, relative to WC patients who were not prescribed opioids. The differential was much smaller in manufacturing: 3 percent at high risk and 1.6 percent at low/medium risk. Misuse rates were highest among claimants in Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.
CNA developed separate problem description and risk management reports for construction and manufacturing and recommended strategies for employers, including 1) educate employees about responsible prescription opioid use, 2) understand and communicate the risk of misuse, 3) provide strong social support from fellow workers, especially the immediate supervisor, and management to speed safe return to work, 4) communicate options for treating misuse disorders, and 5) encourage employees to ask themselves and their physicians about pain relief options and associated risks and precautions.
Read more:
http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2015/07/01/workers-injured-in-construction-manufacturing-at-h
Download the reports:
https://go.cna.com/opioidabuseCONST.html (construction)
https://go.cna.com/opioidabuseMFG.html (manufacturing)
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Journal Articles and Reports
M.A. Bachhuber, E.E. McGinty, A. Kennedy–Hendricks, J. Niederdeppe, and C.L. Barry. 2015. "Messaging to Increase Public Support for Naloxone Distribution Policies in the United States: Results from a Randomized Survey Experiment." PLOS One, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0130050.
In fall 2014, using a nationally representative, paid Web-based survey research panel, researchers randomly assigned participants to read different messages alone or in combination: 1) factual information about naloxone, 2) preemptive refutation of potential concerns about naloxone distribution, and 3) a sympathetic narrative about a mother whose daughter died from an opioid overdose. The final sample consisted of 1,598 participants (a 73 percent response rate). Factual information and the sympathetic narrative each led to higher support for training first responders in naloxone administration, providing naloxone to friends and family members of people who use opioids, and passing laws to protect people who administer the drug. Participants who received both sets of messaging were 1.5 to 2 times as likely to support each policy.
Read more:
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0130050
J.A. Barocas, L. Baker, S.J. Hull, S. Stokes, and R.P. Westergaard. 2015. "High Uptake of Naloxone-Based Overdose Prevention Training Among Previously Incarcerated Syringe-Exchange Program Participants." Drug and Alcohol Dependence, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.06.023.
In a 2012 survey of clients in a syringe exchange program in Madison and Milwaukee, Wis., 43 percent of 543 respondents who injected drugs in the past 30 days had been incarcerated at some time. Sixty-nine percent of previously incarcerated clients had been trained to administer naloxone. Incarceration was more common among those who observed an overdose, experienced overdose, or received training to administer or had administered naloxone.
Read more:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871615003221
K.S. Betts, F. McIlwraith, P. Dietze, E. Whittaker, L. Burns, S. Cogger, and R. Alati. 2015. "Can Differences in the Type, Nature or Amount of Polysubstance Use Explain the Increased Risk of Non-Fatal Overdose Among Psychologically Distressed People Who Inject Drugs?" Drug and Alcohol Dependence, doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.06.020.
Structural Equation Modeling using data on 2,673 injecting drug users polled by Australia's Illicit Drug Reporting System in 2011–13 collapsed 14 drug categories into five types of polysubstance use. Among those with severe psychological distress, a polysubstance use profile characterized by heroin, oxycodone, crystal methamphetamine, and cocaine was associated with greater risk of nonfatal overdose. Among those without severe psychological distress, two polysubstance use profiles characterized by opioid substitution therapies and prescription drugs were protective against nonfatal overdose.
Read more:
http://www.drugandalcoholdependence.com/article/S0376-8716(15)00319-1/abstract
P. Harden, S. Ahmed, K. Ang, and N. Wiedemer. 2015. "Clinical Implications of Tapering Chronic Opioids in a Veteran Population." Pain Medicine, doi:10.1111/pme.12812.
This paper reports 12-month outcomes for 50 chronic opioid users attempting to taper off the drugs at a Philadelphia Veterans Administration medical center. The study lacked a comparison group. On average, patients reduced opioid doses by 46 percent. Seventy percent experienced no change in pain or had less pain at 12 months compared with baseline.
Read more:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pme.12812/abstract
H.K. Knudsen. 2015. "The Supply of Physicians Waivered to Prescribe Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorders in the United States: A State-Level Analysis." Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 76(4):644–54.
According to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration data, in December 2013, the average state had eight physicians waivered to prescribe buprenorphine per 100,000 residents (standard deviation = 5.2). The waiver rate was much higher in the Northeast relative to the Midwest, South, and West. The percentage of residents covered by Medicaid, the population-adjusted availability of opioid treatment programs and substance use disorder treatment facilities, and the overdose death rate were positively associated with the waiver rate.
Read more:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26098042
C. LaBelle, S.C. Han, A. Bergeron, and J.H. Samet. 2015. "Office-Based Opioid Treatment with Buprenorphine (OBOT-B): Statewide Implementation of the Massachusetts Collaborative Care Model in Community Health Centers." Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2015.06.010.
In the Massachusetts Collaborative Care Model of opioid agonist therapy using buprenorphine, nurses who work with physicians play a central role in patient evaluation and monitoring. This article describes the model and associated nurse training. Expansion of the model to 14 community health centers statewide in 2007 increased the number of nurse-assisted physicians who were waivered to prescribe buprenorphine from 24 to 114 within 3 years, with a corresponding increase in medication-assisted patients in treatment.
Read more:
http://www.journalofsubstanceabusetreatment.com/article/S0740-5472(15)00146-4/abstract
B. Larance, N. Lintzeris, R. Bruno, A. Peacock, E. Cama, R. Ali, I. Kihas, A. Hordern, N. White, and L. Degenhardt. 2015. "The Characteristics of a Cohort Who Tamper with Prescribed and Diverted Opioid Medications." Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2015.06.001.
A snowball-sample survey conducted in three Australian cities prior to introduction of Reformulated OxyContin® in April 2014 successfully polled 606 people who reported past-month injecting, snorting, chewing, or smoking of a pharmaceutical opioid and had engaged in these practices at least monthly in the past 6 months. The cohort reported high levels of moderate/severe depression (61 percent), moderate/severe anxiety (43 percent), posttraumatic stress disorder (42 percent), chronic pain or disability (past 6 months, 54 percent), and pain (past month, 47 percent). Three fourths (77 percent) reported ICD-10 lifetime pharmaceutical opioid dependence, and 40 percent reported current ICD-10 heroin dependence. Thirteen percent reported past-year overdose; 70 percent reported at least one past month opioid injection–related injury or disease. Participants receiving opioid substitution therapy who were also prescribed other opioids reported a wide range of risk behaviors, despite their health service engagement.
Read more:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740547215001373
V.R. Nagar, J.E. Springer, and S. Salles. 2015. "Increased Incidence of Spinal Abscess and Substance Abuse After Implementation of State Mandated Prescription Drug Legislation." Pain Medicine, doi:10.1111/pme.12810.
Retrospective review of 2010–14 records from a Kentucky tertiary care hospital found the rise in annual incidence of intraspinal abscess accelerated in 2013 after the state tightened its prescription drug legislation. The authors suspect a shift from prescription to impure illicit opioids contributed to the rise. Case counts were 16 in 2010, 25–26 in 2011–12, 38 in 2013, and 67 in 2014. Incidence among patients with drug misuse diagnoses were 3 per year in 2010–12, 7 in 2013, and 27 in 2014.
Read more:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pme.12810/abstract
M. Olfson, M. King, and M. Schoenbaum. 2015. "Treatment of Young People with Antipsychotic Medications in the United States." JAMA Psychiatry, doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.0500.
Generalized to the U.S. population, data from the IMS LifeLink LRx Longitudinal Prescription database, which includes approximately 60 percent of all retail pharmacies in the United States, indicate the percentage of people ages 1–24 prescribed antipsychotics was relatively stable from 2006 to 2010. The percentage of residents with prescriptions in 2006 versus 2010 was 0.14 percent vs. 0.11 percent for young children (0–5), 0.85 percent vs. 0.80 percent for older children (6–11), 1.10 percent vs. 1.19 percent for adolescents (12–17), and 0.69 percent vs. 0.84 percent for young adults (18–24). In 2010, males were more likely than females to be prescribed antipsychotics, especially during childhood and adolescence. In 2010, receiving an antipsychotic prescription from a psychiatrist was less common among younger children (58 percent) than among other age groups (70 to 78 percent). In a 2009 subgroup with available claims data, the most common diagnoses associated with antipsychotic prescriptions were attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents and depression in young adults.
Read more:
http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2339963
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2015. "Opioid Abuse in the United States and Department of Health and Human Services Actions to Address Opioid-Drug-Related Overdoses and Deaths." Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy 29(2):133–39, doi:10.3109/15360288.2015.1037530.
This reprint of a March Issue Brief from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, describes opioid misuse in the United States and departmental initiatives to address related overdoses and deaths. The initiatives focus on improving opioid prescribing practices, expanded naloxone use, and expanded use of Medication-Assisted Treatment.
Read the original Issue Brief:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/sp/reports/2015/OpioidInitiative/ib_OpioidInitiative.cfm
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Professional Education and Policy Debate
J. Breedvelt, D.K. Tracey, E. Dickenson, and L.V. Dean. 2015. "'Take Home' Naloxone: What Does the Evidence Base Tell Us?" Drugs and Alcohol Today 15(2).
Recent literature on naloxone suggests training and education are effective in preparing users for wider distribution of the drug and that naloxone may help reduce overdose-related deaths. However, even with training, ineffective response techniques were used at times, and users hesitated to call medical services post overdose. Two randomized trials in the United Kingdom are expected to enhance the quality of evidence.
Read more:
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/DAT-03-2015-0017
A.B. Kanouse and P. Compton. 2015. "The Epidemic of Prescription Opioid Abuse, the Subsequent Rising Prevalence of Heroin Use, and the Federal Response." Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy 29(2):102–14, doi:10.3109/15360288.2015.1037521.
This article reviews federal initiatives that address prescription opioid misuse.
Read more:
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/15360288.2015.1037521
S. Shah, S. Kapoor, and B. Durkin. 2015. "Analgesic Management of Acute Pain in the Opioid-Tolerant Patient." Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology, doi:10.1097/ACO.0000000000000218.
This review describes strategies for managing acute pain in the opioid-tolerant patient.
Read more:
http://journals.lww.com/co-anesthesiology/Abstract/publishahead/Analgesic_management_of_acute_pain_in_the.99310.aspx
M.W. Parrino, A.G.I. Maremmani, P.N. Samuels, and I. Maremmani. 2015. "Challenges and Opportunities for the Use of Medications to Treat Opioid Addiction in the United States and Other Nations of the World." Journal of Addictive Diseases, doi:10.1080/10550887.2015.1059113.
As policymakers engage in strategic initiatives to better prevent and treat chronic opioid addiction in the United States and other countries, a number of unintended consequences have arisen, complicating how best to increase access to effective treatment.
Read more:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10550887.2015.1059113#.VZKamWnJAgA
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National
Jailed Toyota Executive Julie Hamp Resigns
Jonathan Soblejuly, The New York Times
July 1, 2015
Julie Hamp, an American public relations chief for Toyota Motor, resigned after being arrested on suspicion of illegally bringing oxycodone—a restricted pain reliever—into Japan. Hamp is in jail but has not been formally charged. Police reported that Hamp's father sent 57 tablets containing oxycodone to her Tokyo hotel. She did not declare the tablets on the customs label.
Read more:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/02/business/international/jailed-american-executive-resigns-from-toyota.html
More Say Alcohol Threatens Auto Safety than Pot, Pills
Steve Ander and Art Swift, Gallup
July 1, 2015
Recent Gallup telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,007 adults nationwide showed most Americans believe driving while impaired by alcohol is a "very serious" problem (79 percent), as well as being impaired by prescription pain relievers (41 percent), marijuana (29 percent), or prescription antidepressants (28 percent). Percentages rating impaired driving a somewhat or very serious problem were 97 percent for alcohol, 83 percent for prescription pain relievers, 68 percent for marijuana, and 64 percent for prescription antidepressants. Americans ages 18 to 29 (88 percent) are most likely to say drinking and driving is a very serious problem but least likely to say driving while impaired by marijuana is as serious (22 percent).
Read more:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/183878/say-alcohol-threatens-auto-safety-pot-pills.aspx
Tamper-Resistant Pill Dispenser Uses Fingerprinting to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse
Andrea Alfano, Tech Times
June 26, 2015
A team of Johns Hopkins University students developed a pill dispenser keyed by a patient's fingerprint. Even if the fingerprint checks out, the device only dispenses pills at the preprogrammed rate prescribed. Students envision that doctors or pharmacists would own and reuse the devices. But further development and testing are needed.
Read more:
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/63641/20150626/tamper-resistant-pill-dispenser-uses-fingerprinting-prevent-prescription-drug-abuse.htm
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Partners with CafeMom to Educate Mothers About Teen Substance Abuse
PRNewswire
June 29, 2015
CafeMom, a digital media company, will feature resources from the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids' Medicine Abuse Project, a multiyear campaign that aims to prevent teens from misusing drugs. It will also include the Marijuana Talk Kit, a comprehensive guide that addresses challenges families face when discussing marijuana with their teens.
Read more:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/partnership-for-drug-free-kids-partners-with-cafemom-to-educate-mothers-about-teen-substance-abuse-300105702.html
Durbin Pushes for Greater Access to Heroin Overdose Antidote
Christopher Placek, Daily Herald
July 2, 2015
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin introduced a bill that would increase grant funding for public health agencies and community-based organizations to purchase and distribute naloxone and lead training seminars for law enforcement. (Includes video: 1:04 minutes)
Read more:
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150701/news/150709819
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MARIJUANA
Four Burning Questions About Medical Marijuana
Thomas R. Bundy, III, Esq., and Sean P. O'Brien, Esq.
July 1, 2015
This article answers four questions employers are likely to encounter with medical marijuana. 1) Can employers prohibit employees from using medical marijuana? 2) How do state medical marijuana laws affect companies that work with the government? 3) Are employers required to accommodate an employee's use of medical marijuana if used to treat a disability? 4) Can employers screen applicants for medical marijuana use?
Read more:
http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2015/07/01/4-burning-questions-about-medical-marijuana
Obama Administration Eases Marijuana Research Requirements
Amanda B. Keener, The Scientist
June 29, 2015
U.S. scientists who want to study marijuana's health effects no longer need a review by the Public Health Service. The Department of Health and Human Services decided the review was redundant, as a separate assessment by the Food and Drug Administration is already required. Researchers must still clear that review and two other regulatory hurdles to study medical applications for the drug.
Read more:
http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/43418/title/Obama-Administration-Eases-Marijuana-Research-Requirements
State Marijuana Laws Complicate Federal Job Recruitment
Matthew Rosenberg and Mark Mazzetti, The New York Times
June 29, 2015
Recruiters for federal agencies are warning people in states where marijuana is legal that use will not be tolerated. Once hired, all federal employees must remain marijuana free. Law enforcement agencies have the toughest rules. The CIA requires its job candidates to be "generally" drug free for at least 1 year and asks potential hires about past use. The FBI insists recruits refrain from marijuana use for at least 3 years before hire. The State Department does not test people before they are hired and has no predetermined length of time for which applicants must be drug free before joining its ranks. A small number of department employees are randomly tested each year. Those selected are screened on the same day they are notified, preferably within 2 hours.
Read more:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/30/us/state-marijuana-laws-complicate-federal-job-recruitment.html?_r=2
Medical Marijuana Is Legal in Minnesota: 7 Things to Know for the First Day
Melanie Sommer and Melissa Turtinen
June 7, 2015
Medical marijuana became legal in Minnesota on July 1. This article answers seven questions about the law and drug. 1) Who can get medical marijuana in Minnesota? 2) How does medical marijuana help people with eligible conditions? 3) How much will it cost? 4) Will insurance cover the cost? 5) Why is it so expensive? 6) Why are there eight dispensaries? 7) Why not in Duluth?
Read more:
http://bringmethenews.com/2015/06/30/7-questions-for-the-first-day-of-medical-marijuana-in-minnesota
High-Quality Pot from Legal States Flooding Market in Springfield
Harrison Keegan, Springfield News-Leader
June 28, 2015
A Missouri State Highway Patrol supervising sergeant for narcotics said the Springfield market has been inundated with high-grade marijuana from Colorado and other states where the drug is legal. The product from Colorado has much higher levels of THC, which has driven up the price of pot in Springfield. Seizures of marijuana-infused food items have also risen over the past 2 years.
Read more:
http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/crime/2015/06/28/high-quality-pot-legal-states-flooding-market-springfield/29434413
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International
Harper Government Moves Forward on Regulating Tamper-Resistant Properties for Prescription Drugs
Government of Canada
June 26, 2015
Health Canada published a Notice of Pre-Consultation in the Canada Gazette, seeking stakeholder feedback on draft Tamper-Resistant Properties of Drug Regulations. The regulations would require all controlled release oxycodone products sold in Canada to have tamper-resistant properties.
Read more:
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=992399&tp=1
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Northeast/Mid-Atlantic News
War on Heroin: Local Police Will Carry Naloxone, a 'Miracle Drug' to Save Lives After Overdose
Tom Knapp, LancasterOnline
June 30, 2015
All police officers in Lancaster County will carry two doses of naloxone in their cars. Police in York and Delaware Counties have already saved between 150 and 200 lives.
Read more:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/war-on-heroin-local-police-will-carry-naloxone-a-miracle/article_d0179334-1f6d-11e5-8296-63a329d0a3de.html
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Southern News
Prescription Drug Ring Busted at State Prison
Marques White, WJXT
July 1, 2015
Dylan Hilliard, a former corrections officer at Florida State Prison, was charged with felony drug trafficking after an undercover operation revealed he was selling prescription drugs from prison and his home. At least 80 people were buying oxycodone from or selling it to Hilliard. Florida State Prison Major Gregory Combs was also arrested in connection with the oxycodone drug ring and immediately fired. Investigators said Combs smuggled drugs into the prison at the Bradford–Union county line. Combs was charged with two counts of selling prescription drugs, three counts of purchasing opiates, and one count of smuggling drugs into a detention facility—all felonies. Numerous Florida Department of Corrections employees have been suspended and are still being investigated to determine their involvement with the case. (Includes video: 2:26 minutes)
Read more:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/prescription-drug-ring-busted-at-state-prison/33907286
New Law Protects Those Reporting Drug Overdose
Isabel Rosales, WHSV
July 1, 2015
A Virginia law effective July 1, 2015, extends legal protection to those seeking medical help for themselves or others in an emergency overdose situation. Attorney Richard Baugh said there are three requirements for receiving protection. The person must remain at the scene of the overdose until police arrive, identify himself or herself to the responding officer, and cooperate with any criminal investigation related to the overdose. (Includes video: 1:54 minutes)
Read more:
http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/New-Law-Protects-Those-Reporting-Drug-Overdose--311306251.html
Virginia Gives First Responders New Tool to Fight Heroin Overdoses
Jeff Goldberg, WJLA
July 1, 2015
Virginia now allows any law enforcement agency in the Commonwealth to use naloxone. (Includes video: 2:18 minutes)
Read more:
http://www.wjla.com/articles/2015/07/virginia-gives-first-responders-new-tool-to-fight-heroin-overdoses-115238.html
Number of Kids Going Through Washington County's Children Services Rises
Aaron Farrar, TheNewsCenter
June 29, 2015
West Virginia's Washington County Children Services has seen an increase in kids entering the system because their caretakers are misusing drugs. (Includes video: 1:12 minutes)
Read more:
http://www.thenewscenter.tv/home/headlines/Number-of-Kids-Going-Through-Washington-Countys-Children-Services-Rises-310187241.html
Benzer Pharmacy Goes Green by Offering Customers Free Safe Disposal Program for Medications
PRWeb
June 29, 2015
Benzer Pharmacy announced a medication disposal container is available at its Florida retail pharmacy. The company is ordering disposal containers for all locations nationwide.
Read more:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/06/prweb12813072.htm
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Midwest News
Parker: The Surge of Fentanyl–Heroin Overdose Deaths
Ross Parker, Deadline Detroit
July 2, 2015
Ross Parker, a former criminal division chief at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit, discusses the rise in overdose deaths involving a fentanyl–heroin combination. These deaths surged in 2015 in Southeastern Michigan, California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Deaths involving fentanyl are twice as prevalent as heroin deaths in Ontario, Canada, and account for one fourth of overdose deaths in British Columbia—up from just 5 percent in 2012.
Read more:
http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/12640/parker_the_surge_of_fentanyl-heroin_overdose_deaths#.VZWMpmnJAgA
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West News
Colorado Needle Exchanges Grow to Meet Demand
Laura Palmisano, KVNF
June 30, 2015
Five years ago, only one needle exchange operated in Colorado, and it was illegal. In 2010, the Colorado legislature passed a law allowing syringe exchanges if county health boards approved them. Now, seven exchanges span the state. Beginning July 1, a Colorado law will decriminalize carrying a new or used syringe, even if it contains drug residue. The law directs needle exchanges to educate people about the new exemption; it does not allow people to carry drugs or other paraphernalia. The Western Colorado AIDS Project director says 75 percent of its exchange participants used methamphetamine, and 25 percent used heroin, prescription, or other drugs in 2014. Since then, the exchange has served significantly more heroin and prescription drug users. (Includes audio: 4:51 minutes)
Read more:
http://kvnf.org/post/colorado-needle-exchanges-grow-meet-demand
Feds May Sue Utah Over Law Aimed at Protecting Prescription Drug Records
Robert Gehrke, The Salt Lake Tribune
July 2, 2015
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) may sue Utah over a law that protects the privacy of information in the state's controlled substance database. Lawmakers passed a bill that would require police agencies to get a warrant before searching the registry. On June 17, DEA investigator Robert Churchwell sent a subpoena for information to Marvin Sims, administrator of the state database, demanding contact information and a full prescription history for a consumer. Assistant Attorney General David Wolf refused the request, arguing Sims could not comply with the subpoena without violating state law.
Read more:
http://www.sltrib.com/news/2688175-155/feds-may-sue-utah-over-law
South Dakota Adopts Appriss Platform to Mitigate Drug Diversion
GlobeNewswire
July 1, 2015
The South Dakota prescription monitoring program adopted the Appriss Prescription Drug Monitoring Solution to improve patient safety and reduce prescription drug misuse and diversion. The platform supports mandatory pharmacy reporting and offers secure access to data across state lines.
Read more:
https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/273749233/south-dakota-adopts-appriss-platform-to-mitigate-drug-diversion
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Webinars
Prescription Drug Misuse: A Training for Corporate Medical Staff and MROs
SAMHSA
August 3, 2015, 3–4 p.m. EST
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Preventing Prescription Abuse in the Workplace (PAW) Technical Assistance Center is hosting a Webinar designed for corporate medical officers and MROs as they address the prescription drug misuse epidemic. The Webinar will provide information on commonly misused prescription drugs, their mechanisms of action, individuals who are most susceptible to misuse, ways to identify and treat those afflicted, and related educational and technical assistance resources offered by SAMHSA. Speakers will be available for a 30-minute discussion following the Webinar.
Register:
https://webtraining.rti.org/registration/?eventid=cdf60c3d-1af2-45e0-9aaf-04bee49ed86d
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Grant Announcement
Partnership for Clean Competition
Pre-applications due March 1, July 1, and November 1
Full applications due April 1, August 1, and December 1
http://www.cleancompetition.org/Pages/programs-grants.aspx
2015 Healthy Living Grant Program
American Medical Association
Deadline: September 11, 2015, 5 p.m. Central time
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/ama-foundation/our-programs/public-health/healthy-living-grants.page?
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Take-Back Events and Drop Boxes
Drug Take-Back Event Along Loop Creek Set for July 11
Sarah Plummer, The Register-Herald (West Virginia)
June 29, 2015
http://www.register-herald.com/news/drug-take-back-event-along-loop-creek-set-for-july/article_60cd4ea5-cf0e-52cf-9a27-7935b9d9a6cf.html
Drug Take-Back Day Set for July 18 in East Hartford
Journal Inquirer (Connecticut)
June 29, 2015
http://www.journalinquirer.com/towns/east_hartford/drug-take-back-day-set-for-july-in-east-hartford/article_f6d8f454-1e82-11e5-81c9-031d0bdd1191.html
Prescription Drug Take Back
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (California)
June 26, 2015
http://pio.edso.org/press-release/934
Knox County Making Drug 'Take-Back' Available Every Day
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
June 29, 2015
https://bangordailynews.com/community/knox-county-making-drug-take-back-available-every-day
Old Prescription Drugs Now Being Collected at the Police Department
Town of Sturbridge (Massachusetts)
June 30, 2015
http://www.town.sturbridge.ma.us/Public_Documents/SturbridgeMA_
Adminblog/051A14A7-000F8513
Region's First Drop-Off Point for Prescription Drugs Opens
Michelle Heath, Beaumont Enterprise (Texas)
June 29, 2015
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Region-s-first-drop-off-point-for-prescription-6356573.php
PAPD Hosts Drug Drop-Off Site
Mary Meaux, The Port Arthur News (Texas)
June 29, 2015
http://m.panews.com/2015/06/29/papd-hosts-drug-drop-off-site
Police Initiate Drug Take-Back Effort in Culpeper
The Free Lance-Star (Virginia)
June 28, 2015
http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/culpeper/police-initiate-drug-take-back-effort-in-culpeper/article_278921ed-03dc-573b-bb3a-7867ee1e6918.html
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Upcoming Conferences and Workshops
Mid-Year Training Institute
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
August 2–6, 2015
Indianapolis, Indiana
http://www.cadca.org/myti
Register:
http://www.cadca.org/events/14th-annual-mid-year-training-institute-0/registration
Fourth Annual Generation Rx University Conference for Collegiate Prevention and Recovery
The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy
August 4–6, 2015
Columbus, Ohio
http://hecaod.osu.edu/events/national-meeting
28th Annual National Prevention Network Conference: Bridging Research to Practice
National Prevention Network
November 17–19, 2015
Seattle, Washington
http://www.npnconference.org
Register:
http://www.npnconference.org/registration
Opioid Overdose Summit
University of Michigan Injury Center
December 1, 2015
Ann Arbor, Michigan
http://www.injurycenter.umich.edu/conferences/opioid-overdose-summit
2016 National Rx Drug Summit
March 28–31, 2016
The Westin Peachtree Plaza
Atlanta, Georgia
http://nationalrxdrugabusesummit.org
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The Weekly Update is a service provided by the SAMHSA Preventing Prescription Abuse in the Workplace Technical Assistance Center (PAW) to keep the field abreast of recent news and journal articles to assist in forming policy, research, and programs to reduce prescription drug misuse or abuse. Please note, the materials listed are not reflective of SAMHSA's or PAW's viewpoint or opinion and are not assessed for validity, reliability or quality. The Weekly Update should not be considered an endorsement of the findings. Readers are cautioned not to act on the results of single studies, but rather to seek bodies of evidence. Copyright considerations prevent PAW from providing full text of journal articles listed in the Weekly Update. |
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