Substance Abuse
First responders are not immune from the opioid crisis; here’s what to know
Knowing how xylazine presents clinically, as well as how it impacts overdose management is important for any provider responding to illicit drug overdoses
Albuterol, fentanyl and naloxone injectable are among the drugs being recalled – many of which are in very short supply, with no alternate source available
State and local officials believe their concerted effort to increase awareness and education, change laws and policies, and get more people into treatment may be helping
The approval is part of the FDA’s push to make the drug more readily available
Mitigate fentanyl fears with NIOSH guidance and basic PPE precautions
Medics view K2, which is sometimes dipped in embalming fluid or bug spray, as a kind of poison
A man riding with a patient during transport to a hospital was charged with theft after vials of morphine and ketamine were found to be missing
Each grant site will partner with at least 15 communities to measure the impact of prevention, treatment and recovery interventions in hospitals, behavioral health programs, and the criminal justice system
When he was released from the hospital, the man was arrested for unauthorized possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia
A collaboration between NASEMSO, NAEMSP and ACEP produced an evidence-based guideline for EMS providers to follow when considering naloxone for patient treatment
Since legalizing and selling marijuana last November, state emergency rooms have seen dozens of children who have ingested edibles
The program has allowed injection drug users to trade dirty needles for clean ones, distributed naloxone and connected users to wound care and drug treatment
Jody Heglar was sentenced to 15 years for driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license, which was reduced to 14 months of time served and probation
Robert Gala, 26, unsuccessfully argued that his oxycodone addiction was a disability that should have spared him termination after five years on the job
In its second year, the benchmark report based on EMS national data digs deeper into five key metrics and adds two additional measures
Robert Duncan, U.S. attorney for eastern Kentucky, called the doctors involved “white-coated drug dealers”
Gordon Smith, the state’s director of opioid response, said having the antidote on hand in a school building could save the life of a student, staff member or visitor
The funds will be used for prevention, access to treatment and improved links to care
City of Seattle‘s nightlife business advocate and program creator Scott Plusquellec said preventative action is key
Tucson Unified and Amphitheater Public Schools are both stocking Narcan doses in the event of an overdose
Consisting of a police officer, a paramedic and a mental health representative, the team follows up with overdose patients within 72 hours to offer support
Terre Haute police and fire departments will each receive 60 kits over a six-month period, while the sheriff’s office will receive 12 kits for the six-month time frame
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Carlos Rosario shares his recovery after being struck on a roadway and promotes safety during Distracted Driver Awareness Month
Look for tampered packaging, excessive use and false documentation to identify a drug diversion in your EMS agency
After two paramedics were charged with taking drugs from the voluntary drop box, officials are wondering how effective the program is
Public safety experts discuss how they were able to identify and implement forward-thinking local approaches to address national problems like cardiac arrest and opioid overdose
Jon Cinelli and Jeremy Pecoraro were arrested on suspicion of criminal possession of a controlled substance and were suspended with pay
Paramedic Dane Arredondo is charged with stealing several different kinds of drugs from the Oglala Sioux Tribe Ambulance Service on the Pine Ridge Reservation
Lake County officials are concerned about the 21 percent rise in local drug overdoses last year
Medical Director and Emergency Physician Gene Hern explores the potential for treating patients with opioid use disorder with buprenorphine
Titrating naloxone through an intranasal dose through a nebulizer and monitoring with capnography can reduce the risks of opioid withdrawal symptoms to the patient and EMS provider
David L. Gardener was arrested for battery of a police officer after he was removed from the back of an ambulance for drinking saline from bags
