Substance Use Disorders
This section provides EMS professionals with resources and training focused on identifying, managing and responding to patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Articles cover recognition of drug and alcohol use in the field, treatment best practices, harm reduction strategies, and the evolving role of EMS in the opioid crisis. Learn how to address provider safety, compassion fatigue and stigma, while improving patient outcomes through evidence-based care and community partnerships.
A proposed fentanyl vaccine might be a useful addition in the fight against opioids, but it isn’t necessary to protect first responders from occupational exposure to the drug
Pill organizers and dispensers that help prevent missed doses, overdoses and interactions
Colorado’s community naloxone distribution program faces a financial shortfall as state funding dwindles, raising concerns for overdose prevention efforts
The ambulance on Long Island was transporting a patient when it was struck by a 49-year-old woman in a BMW
The county plans to offer community trainings in CPR, Stop the Bleed and naloxone administration
In this episode of Inside EMS, our co-hosts welcome attorney David C. Holland to talk from a legal perspective about the use of medical marijuana by public safety members
The Springfield Community Crisis Response Team would be comprised of one EMT or nurse and one clinician that would be available 24/7 to respond to non-violent 911 calls
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department reported they responded to 5,050 overdose calls last year, a stark increase from the 4,140 overdose calls in 2019
Video shows the EMT throwing the man to the ground after reportedly being punched by him
Firefighters needed to break the ambulance windshield to free the two American Medical Response EMTs
Sellersburg Volunteer Fire Department installed what is believed to be the first Naloxbox in Clark County, a publicly accessible box that contains naloxone kits
Police said the paramedic was rendering aid to the man after he intentionally struck his head on the partition of a patrol vehicle
The former Buffalo firefighter-EMT says he was fired under an outdated collective bargaining agreement
The court ruled the deputy violated the Fourth Amendment when he seized the vials on “nothing more than a hunch” that they might be illegal
Glastonbury Fire Chief Michael Thurz said the firefighter’s off-duty comment “blemished the organization”
The video shows an off-duty Glastonbury firefighter saying Narcan should not be used and “when people overdose, you let them die”
Deputies said blood began to pour out of the EMT’s nose after he was kicked in the face
“The First Step Program” will offer individuals an opportunity to get help without the fear of arrest or having to worry about a lack of health insurance
Recovery Centers of America officials say the program is the first of its kind in Indiana
Two of the providers were cited for allegedly witnessing the incident and not preventing or reporting it
Authorities say the suspect kicked the EMS provider in the chest and threatened to kill the crew
Officials said the man pointed the gun at the firefighters who had just given him Narcan
The unit will be composed of a police officer, a paramedic, a behavioral health caseworker and a social worker
Peer recovery specialists and a community paramedic offer patients paths to treatment after overdose calls
The expanding Health One program provides on-scene care to those experiencing mental illness, homelessness and chronic health problems
Police said the woman, Nastasia Snape, 23, was found to be in possession of a synthetic drug called T salts
Eagle County Paramedic Services launches a naloxone distribution program to help treat opioid overdoses in homes
Police said the man’s BAC was .184
Officials said the bags contained equipment, narcotics and ambulance keys
Oakland officials also plan to send non-police responders to other nonviolent calls such as public intoxication calls and wellness checks
The 911 operator and EMT says he was placed on limited duty after being prescribed medical marijuana for Crohn’s disease
New Britain EMS is coordinating with social services and homeless outreach workers for a new citywide campaign
