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.
Albuterol, fentanyl and naloxone injectable are among the drugs being recalled – many of which are in very short supply, with no alternate source available
Before you watch the film inspired on true events learn how cocaine toxicity really presents in humans
Proper inventory, tracking and reporting on the use of these drugs protects both practitioners and patients
Doctors are no longer allowed to prescribe more than 14 days’ worth of opioids, and they must first look for alternatives
The Shawnee Mission School Board approved an agreement this week with Johnson County Emergency Services to stock naloxone at district schools
Police said a suspected drunk driver struck a police car, and then another suspected drunk driver hit the ambulance that responded
Two hospitals received $400,000 each, which allows them to keep patients in their emergency rooms until they start showing withdrawal symptoms
The City of Moore said the opioid crisis forced them to spend more money on firefighters, EMS providers and other addiction services than usual
Hillsborough County’s Opioid Task Force is proposing a $13.7 million fix to tackle the epidemic, which it says will lower the number of victims
In an episode titled “Addiction,” PBS’s “Nova” highlights some promising approaches to treating addiction and uses brain scans to show what our brains look like on drugs
Project Leave Behind provides Orange County responders with naloxone kits to distribute to the families of those treated for overdoses
A team consisting of a police officer, paramedic and a social worker has a goal of meeting with a person who overdosed to connect them with appropriate assistance
Overdose cases can create numerous logistical problems when there are multiple overdose cases around the same time in different locations
According to a Minnesota State Patrol report, both responder vehicles swerved to avoid the vehicle when it veered into northbound lanes, but were sideswiped
Learn how infants who were exposed to opioids present while suffering from withdrawal
Lexington has received a $2 million federal grant to buy more overdose reversal kits and hire an overdose prevention coordinator
The funding package, announced Friday by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, consists of two $11 million grants, to be dispersed over two years
Hussain Maqubool allegedly hit an EMT in the back of an ambulance after calling 911 and saying he was drunk
Destinie Campanella, a mental health advocate, is among the few engaging with the homeless in South Philly
The people who attended the event learned all about the signs of an overdose, and they received a free naloxone kit
Warriors heart finds alcohol abuse is the most common addiction in veterans and first responders
Tests to determine which drugs contributed to a fatal overdose can take months, but a preliminary examination points to fentanyl
Purdue Pharma, the embattled maker of OxyContin, announced a $3.42 million grant to support a nonprofit pharmaceutical company’s development
Luis Garcia’s South Florida Opioid Crisis Mortality Reduction Project hopes to reduce the number of fatal overdoses
The suit alleging that a number of opioid manufacturers are responsible for the medical needs of babies exposed to opioids before birth
Our co-hosts discuss hot topics related to EMS personnel, from cardiac arrest survival to a DOJ video regarding opioid exposure while on the job
The video will show first responders how to protect themselves from deadly substances
The bill would expand a naloxone grant program, authorize a grant to teach post-overdose treatment and authorize funding for technology to screen for deadly drugs
Nearly half a million more dollars and an extra death investigator are needed to keep up with the record number of opioid deaths in Kent County
Drug detectives raiding an apartment were exposed to the potent opioid fentanyl as it burst into the air when the suspects attempted to toss evidence
Project FORT (Fairfield County Overdose Response Team) works to help residents who are addicted to opioids and other drugs get clean and reclaim their lives
Jason Laut was sentenced to 9 years in prison for stealing fentanyl and morphine from ambulances
The suspect kicked and attempted to head-butt the EMTs, and police noted it took substantial force to get him in the back of an ambulance
MOST POPULAR
- Maine officials consider stocking all middle, high schools with naloxone
- Officials: Americans more likely to die from opioid overdose than in vehicle crash
- Police: Woman arrested after impersonating a nurse to get opioids
- How to use 12-lead EKG, scene size-up to assess tricyclic antidepressant overdose
- Navigating toxic brain injury: We need a better map