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.
Paramedic Willie Doan Shares an urgent plea for change in a time when employee wellbeing is often sidelined in favor of productivity and profit
Learn how the Philadelphia Fire Department redefined service delivery, funding and success
Is your agency in compliance with requirements? How can you protect yourself and your staff from the fallout of drug diversion?
Treat acute cardiac syndrome patients with the appropriate order of operations, and consider when traditional treatments may be contraindicated
Naloxone administrations by the state’s emergency responders declined last year after peaking at more than 50,000 in 2017
Kevin Barker, TCGplayer’s safety officer, called 911, then administered Narcan nasal spray after recognizing symptoms of a possible overdose
It appears that public bathrooms have become the place to carry out drug transactions, Fire Chief John Jark said
The team will respond to calls involving people dealing with behavioral crises, substance-abuse issues, chronic or less-acute medical issues and social-services needs
EMS Executive Director Charles Cremeans said overdoses seem to come in waves when a new batch of heroin or fentanyl hits the streets, but is seeing an increase overall
A new partnership in the North Huntingdon and Rostraver areas is finding success in helping patients seek treatment and paramedics’ morale
EMS providers in Clatsop County consistently administer naloxone for opioid overdoses at rates higher than the state average
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
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