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 lack of accurate data tracking led LogRX CEO and Founder Clive Savacool to redefine what pharmacology accountability looks like for street-level medics
Consider adding these often-encountered patients to your EMT or paramedic class’s patient assessment drills or high-fidelity patient simulations
The woman was being transported to the hospital after telling police she had injected heroin, officials say
EMS systems may experience and respond to behavioral health, substance abuse and domestic violence situations as social isolation impacts public health
FDNY EMT Alexander Raso, 24, was found dead in March after joining the department in September
Training, mental health resources are essential to support first responders facing both the opioid crisis and COVID-19 outbreak
A typical shift during the pandemic highlights the uncertainty faced by first responders
The clinical decline in patients with HCQ toxicity can be quite precipitous: be prepared with close cardiac monitoring
While preliminary data shows no significant change in overdose numbers, one agency describes how stay-at-home orders have impacted overdose locations and outreach efforts
The man took a plea deal after stealing the ambulance from a hospital where he was being treated for heroin withdrawal
The paramedic told police he had taken over-the-counter cold medicine and some prescribed drugs before hitting another rig outside a senior care facility
Researchers warn that misinformation about unintentional fentanyl exposure can have negative consequences for responders and opioid overdose patients
After finding the body of an overdose victim last spring, 17-year-old Kanishk Nazareth wanted to do something to help save lives
Officials say the EMT who was fired and prosecuted for stealing drugs from an ambulance returned Tuesday to break into another ambulance
The woman faces multiple charges of aggravated assault
Heroin cut with a synthetic cannabinoid has been connected to several recent overdoses in the city
The proposal for the treatment center is under consideration at Tuesday’s city commission meeting after previous proposals were denied twice
Through the program, children are taught about the dangers of opioids and given free doses of the antidote to take home
The man pleaded guilty to felony assault of a public servant and possession of a controlled substance
The program includes both short-term and long-term measures to improve the survival of those dealing with substance abuse issues
The arbitrator said the firefighter gave varying accounts of the incident and failed to contain her emotions during the call
The student performed CPR before police arrived to administer Narcan
In this episode, our co-hosts welcome Community Paramedic Lt. J.D. Postage, who works with Project FORT, the Violet Township Fire Department’s substance abuse program
Police said the paramedic administered fentanyl and midazolam through an IV to one of the women before sexually assaulting her
AMR Paramedics Paul Besaw and Lahiri Garcia were killed in the rollover ambulance crash in 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is offering 25 grants worth up to $800,000 to rural EMS agencies
A woman who took pills with alcohol died hours after paramedics and sheriff’s deputies left her home
Authorities say the narcotics were ordered and paid for through the agency by the ex-director but never used for EMS purposes
The new policy outlines circumstances that require drug and alcohol testing for volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders
Personnel from the LAFD’s Station 9 in Skid Row gave an inside look at their experience aiding thousands of homeless residents
Officials say there will be mandatory overtime and ramping up of recruit training after 10 employees left following an incident involving alcoholic egg nog
Court documents say John Kapoor personally approved bribes for doctors who abusively prescribed opioids
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