A global pandemic does not abate other public health emergencies. As the nation is focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid epidemic remains in full force. Recently, the American Medical Association (AMA) released an issue brief, which they expressed concern on an increase in opioid-related mortality. National, State, and local leaders are quickly following suit with their own advisories. With resources stretched and national attention focused on the pandemic, State and Local Leaders need to look for solutions that can stem the tide of this disease. 

Leveraging key analytics from Prescriptive Drugs Monitoring Programs (PDMP) along with new guidance on from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can provide law enforcement, mental health professionals, and physicians more flexibility in fighting the fight against prescriptive opioid abuse during the pandemic.

  

OPIOID ABUSE IN THE WAKE OF COVID-19

The opioid epidemic is one of the largest crises’ to impact the public health sector in national history as it is. In the last five years alone, fatalities related to opioids have increased by more than 20%, with approximately 130 deaths per day in the United States. And, the numbers have steadily continued to rise until just before the pandemic outbreak. The nation-wide public health crisis of opioid addiction saw a substantial increase over the last few decades; contributing to nearly 450,000 overdose-related deaths from 1999-2018. The trend in deaths related to opioid overdose was on the rise until 2018, with 47,000 deaths; six times the amount in 1999 (CDC)..

.

.

To read further, please visit deepinderuppal.com