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.
Looking back into the data on EMS activations and trends, and looking forward in hope
In this episode, our co-hosts discuss some of the top news from across the industry and offer their unique perspective on upcoming legislation, provider rights and more
What paramedics needs to know as reports of self-medication for COVID-19 rise
The family was walking through a neighborhood when the 1-year-old got hold of a small plastic bag and put it in her mouth
Bad Batch Alert is an anonymous texting service that uses data to track fentanyl overdose hotspots and points users in the direction of harm reduction services
"… not my addiction” humanizes opioid addiction and affirms the paramedic reviewer’s belief in the importance of compassionate treatment
The recommendations will focus on law enforcement, prevention and harm reduction, and treatment and recovery
Richard Bryan was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and criminal recklessness after possibly dumping fentanyl on the floor of an ambulance
Changes include the addition of narcotic antagonists, tourniquet applications and wound packing use
More than 64,000 died of drug overdoses last year in the U.S., most from opioids
The monthly injection has the potential to reduce dangerous relapses that occur when patients stop taking the currently available daily medication
The president gave his third-quarter salary to the Department of Health and Human Services to help “drive action” in the fight against opioids
The Unified Fire Authority will also teach everyone how to use the kit in an effort to teach the public how to reverse overdoses
Joseph Amello was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to deception, fraud, and forgery
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that Kellyanne Conway will coordinate the government’s response to the opioid epidemic
Port of Seattle Fire Captain David Washington rescued Zachary Oehrke after he overdosed in an airport bathroom
It wasn’t said how the drug entered the child’s system; the parents were arrested and both pleaded not guilty
The petition asks city leaders to criminally charge individuals who suffer from drug overdoses and receive medical attention
Officials said a cleaning crew and a hazardous materials team are working to clean up affected areas
The Tomah VA Medical Center was recognized by a couple who lost their son to an overdose for their strides to focus on patient-centered care
Police said they found Deanna Reyneveld crawling on the floor and swinging her arms “like a small child”
Jason Laut was convicted of wire fraud, falsifying narcotics logs, aggravated identity theft and tampering with fentanyl
The amount was more than six times higher than previous studies, accounting for around 2.8 percent of gross domestic product
Justin Nelson was charged with a DUI after he almost hit the ambulance with his Ford F-250 that was hauling a camp trailer
The three organizations are working together to develop an evidence-based guideline for naloxone administration
A regionwide project involves sending “recovery coaches” to hospitals as living proof that addicts can get better
The medications were approved statewide in September, and the town had been awaiting state-approved training protocol
University of North Dakota student Tristan Meadows wants to get 50 Narcan kits into the hands of leaders across campus
The rule says that doctors who exceed a new state dosage limit for more than half their patients would receive warnings
The opioid death rate among African-Americans in Chicago was 56 percent higher than for Caucasians
Cardinal Health’s Opioid Action Program will include giving 80,000 doses of naloxone to first responders and increasing support for drug-disposal and education
Theresa Plummer went home after watching over her son in the ICU and died soon after cleaning up the mess in the bathroom
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- Ky. woman faces charges after allegedly hitting ambulance with her vehicle
- Man allegedly assaults 3 W.Va. providers before jumping from ambulance
- Opioid deaths are up, but study shows ER doctors rarely prescribe medication-assisted treatment
- Medical directors weigh in on Akorn’s voluntary medication recall
- Former Oklahoma City paramedic sentenced in drug tampering case