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.
Conquer stressful calls, identify treatment challenges and pitfalls, and use technology to its best potential to save lives this summer and beyond
Real-world data of high-dose naloxone administration by law enforcement officers found no added benefit to opioid overdose patients
EMS leaders must be conscious and intentional in applying labeling lenses to patients and providers
What first responders need to know about asking for help, getting into treatment, and returning to work
The 19-year-old Michigan man reportedly called 911 for assistance while having a bad reaction to acid, then became aggressive with first responders
Based on a sampling of tablets seized from street dealers nationwide from January to March of this year, the DEA found that 27% contained fentanyl
There is no relationship that has more impact on your mental health than your relationship with your significant other
Police said Thomas Launderville slurred his words during a radio call as he was driving a patient to the hospital
In a 911 call, the suspect’s oldest child is heard sobbing while trying to give dispatchers the location of the minivan
FindTreatment.gov is the latest development in the administration’s effort to address the nation’s opioid crisis
Using restraints to protect a patient from harming themselves or providers is not new to EMS, but the circumstances are
Honor and support EMTs, paramedics, firefighters and police officers on National First Responders Day by acknowledging the toll trauma can take
Paramedics Jeremy Pecoraro Pecoraro and Jon Cinelli were placed on leave following an investigation into missing prescription narcotics
Across the U.S., the pharmaceutical industry still faces more than 2,600 other lawsuits over the deadly disaster
State, local and tribal governments plus hospitals and others have filed a total of more than 2,600 lawsuits against drugmakers, distributors and pharmacies
Thomas Wright broke free from the gurney restraint, bit the EMT and knocked him to the ground, then began stomping on his head
The compassionate treatment opioid users receive from first responders can lead to education and healing
Two nurses, a paramedic and a pharmacist were charged with receipt of controlled substance medications by deceit, fraud and misrepresentation
Prosecutors said the medical professionals helped fuel the state’s opioid epidemic
The falsehood of naloxone-induced aggression and assault
Norman Devasure, 65, told officers he had consumed two large drinks of whiskey before an NFL game
Colerain Township Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services created an all-hands-on-deck approach to help people with substance use disorders
The Dover Doorway program is not working as designed, and the number of individuals seeking help from each area is severely disproportionate
The Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention received a $40,306 block grant from the Alabama Department of Mental Health to expand its services
A student allegedly brought marshmallow marijuana edibles to school and distributed them to fellow students
The Greater New Bedford TRAIN is seeking to reach more than 7,000 people through education and assistance for opioids treatment and recovery
By leveraging naloxone and buprenorphine, along with behavioral therapies, medication-assisted treatment attacks opioid addiction from all sides
Paramedic-EMT Michael Shane Hambrick stole the morphine, replaced it with liquid and reattached the tube using superglue
Purdue officials say this is the first step in a plan to provide up to $12 billion to help reimburse governments and clean up the damage done by opioids
Attorneys representing eight drug companies say he’s shown clear bias in his efforts to obtain a multi-billion dollar global settlement
Using ODMAP, law enforcement and public health can input, monitor and track overdose data using times, dates and locations
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