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.
Studies from the SARS outbreak in 2003 reveal first responders may be more at risk for PTS due to quarantine and stigmatization
EMS systems may experience and respond to behavioral health, substance abuse and domestic violence situations as social isolation impacts public health
Training, mental health resources are essential to support first responders facing both the opioid crisis and COVID-19 outbreak
Christina Talamante told police she initially was prescribed pain medication in 2006 following a car crash
Preliminary toxicology tests show Alton Banks had fentanyl in his system when he collapsed and died at his home
In Portland, Maine, officials have collected more than 700 needles so far this year, putting them on track to handily exceed the nearly 900 gathered in all of 2016
Noah Daughhetee, of IndivisibleOH8, said his group believes that “using Narcan on someone who overdosed is the humane thing to do”
Prescriptions are no longer needed for the medicine, which can be found at local pharmacies
Public health officials say America is living through the worst drug crisis in its history — and children across the country suffer the repercussions
Zachary Ross, 21, was charged in September with drug delivery resulting in death and several other offenses
Multiple people called 911 to report the fleeing Dodge Durango as it smoked, sparked and swerved all over the roadway
Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher and Dr. Matthew Bivens are working to close off one avenue that can lead to opioid addiction
It’s possible to stem the crisis without denying opioids to patients whose doctors prescribe them responsibly
“It seems like every week we are having the same conversation about kids who have symptoms of opiate exposure,”pediatrician Kelly Liker said
Clarion University officials said the program was designed to assist responders and other professionals who deal with the epidemic
Eighty percent of heroin addicts start with abuse of prescription drugs, and most get them from friends, relatives or a medicine cabinet
Police said tainted heroin may be responsible for at least eight overdoses over the weekend
The Akron Board of Education passed the motion as a proactive step toward preventing death by opioids
Sen. Tammy Duckworth said there needs to be more effort in making sure addicts have access to treatment
Students will graduate qualified for the required federal “waiver” to prescribe medications to treat opioid-use disorders
The new court puts users into treatment within hours of their arrest instead of days and requires heavier supervision from judges
As we reflect on the past 10 years, here’s a look at the videos that resonated the most with readers
Police said the boy ran to a neighbor’s house to call 911 after finding the women lying unconscious
Deputies said Charlene Pigg never told responders about the second overdose victim
Researchers found local differences, with opioid prescribing six times higher in some counties than others
Our co-hosts discuss the “three strikes, you’re out” overdose rule a councilman proposed and how another county will soon distribute free naloxone
The storefront sites give addicts clean syringes, medical supervision and freedom from arrest
Commissioners unanimously approved a measure to allow the health department to give away doses of the drug to anyone who completes state-certified training on how to use it
After accepting that personal change is inevitable, here is how you can begin to handle that change for you and your family
As we move on from the uproar over “three strikes and you’re dead,” it’s time for EMS professionals to contribute ideas to solve the overdose epidemic
Each day, Dustin Cinnamon agreed to swallow a placebo or a non-FDA-approved pill used in the treatment of chemo-induced nausea
The law allows nurses to destroy unused prescription medication and increases data sharing between agencies about overdose and abuse