Vital Signs: Variation Among States in Prescribing of Opioid Pain Relievers and Benzodiazepines — United States, 2012
In 2012, prescribers wrote 82.5 OPR and 37.6 benzodiazepine prescriptions per 100 persons in the United States. State rates varied 2.7-fold for OPR and 3.7-fold for benzodiazepines. For both OPR and benzodiazepines, rates were higher in the South census region, and three Southern states were two or more standard deviations above the mean. Rates for […]
New Laws and Enforcement Reverse Trends in Oxycodone Prescribing and Related Deaths in Florida
The CDC released a graph showing results of laws and enforcement in oxycodone prescribing. See graph.
NORTH CAROLINA POLICY FOR THE USE OF OPIATES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PAIN
Since the 2004 publication of the North Carolina Medical Board’s Policy for the Use of Controlled Substances for the Treatment of Pain, a considerable body of research and experience has made it evident that the Board’s 2004 Policy required revision. The updated policy presented here takes into consideration recent evidence that risk associated with opiates […]
2013 ANNUAL REPORT ARRESTEE DRUG ABUSE MONITORING PROGRAM II
The Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring II (ADAM II) survey gathers information on drug use and related issues from booked adult male arrestees within 48 hours of their arrest. In 2013, data were collected from a probability-based sample in five counties in the United States, building on prior annual data collections in those counties that extend […]
FDA approves new hand-held auto-injector to reverse opioid overdose
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a prescription treatment that can be used by family members or caregivers to treat a person known or suspected to have had an opioid overdose. Evzio (naloxone hydrochloride injection) rapidly delivers a single dose of the drug naloxone via a hand-held auto-injector that can be carried in […]
High-Risk Use by Patients Prescribed Opioids for Pain and Its Role in Overdose Deaths
From January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2010, drug overdose deaths in Tennessee increased from 422 to 1059 per year. More of these deaths involved prescription opioids than heroin and cocaine combined. More.
Confronting the Stigma of Opioid Use Disorder —and Its Treatment
The death of Philip Seymour Hoffman from a heroin overdose tragically adds another name to the list of celebrities who have lost their lives to addiction. Increasing numbers of overdoses from prescription opioids and a more recent increase in heroin-associated fatalities have caused heartbreak in communities across the country. More.
Drug czar R. Gil Kerlikowske calls for more access to heroin antidote
By DANIEL ROTHBERG WASHINGTON — White House drug czar R. Gil Kerlikowske on Tuesday called for making naloxone, a drug that has been highly effective at reversing heroin overdoses, more widely available to emergency-care providers and other first responders.More.
Heroin Overdose ‘Cure’ Exists, But Can Users Find It?
NBC News BY ANDREW BLANKSTEIN Tracey Helton’s descent into the world of opiates began at 17, when she had her wisdom teeth pulled and was prescribed Vicodin. Not long after, she began shooting heroin. Then came a fateful move to San Francisco, periods of homelessness, a featured role in an HBO documentary about heroin addicts and […]
FACTS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS
Opiate overdose continues to be a major public health problem in the United States. It has contributed significantly to accidental deaths among those who use, misuse or abuse illicit and prescription opioid analgesics. In fact, overdose deaths involving prescription opioid analgesics have increased to almost 17,000 deaths a year. More.
