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.
Innovative community paramedicine programs may offer a strategy to evolve EMS response from resuscitation to a recovery-oriented system of care
Is widespread naloxone administration by non-medically trained responders preventing overdose patients from reaching definitive care?
EMS can apply the four-lens foundation for the science of improvement to reducing opioid overdose deaths within their communities
The supposed patient, two paramedics and other four people were detained pending investigation
New research has found that the mortality rate of white, middle-aged Americans has significantly increased since 1998
This month’s favorites included a video featuring a technique for reading ECGs and an entertaining parody music video on ER drug abuse
Increased availability of opioids, chronic pain, financial stress and mental illness cited as potential cause in this overlooked epidemic
The plea agreement details five instances of morphine theft and use by the former South King County paramedic
Police: Woman, 33, sustained severe hand injury after breaking into zoo and reaching into the tiger exhibit
Researchers investigate the capability of bystanders to treat a simulated opioid overdose with intranasal naloxone versus auto-injector naloxone
Patrick and Amanda Stewart, married four months ago, work together to save man dropped off at the fire station after a heroin overdose
After pleading guilty to two DUI charges and being sentenced to 25 years in prison, the man had his sentence suspended for medical reasons
An investigation into “unauthorized tampering” is ongoing; meanwhile ambulances from 10 Illinois counties won’t have the drug
In-depth insights into the expert recommendations for medications, airway insertion and confirmation, defibrillation and post-arrest care
A Kentucky group will teach children how to use naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose
44 people were injured, 8 of them critically after the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade incident
8 of the injured were airlifted to hospitals with critical injuries after the crash at the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade
Authorities suspect the students may have taken a prescription anti-anxiety drug or a fake street drug being sold as Xanax
A comprehensive examination of naloxone uses, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, administration routes and dosing
The new laws allow officials to arrest those selling the drug and increases the penalties for those found manufacturing it
EMS crews found 10 of the victims outside a Tulsa, Oklahoma, soup kitchen
In-depth insights into the expert recommendations for chest compressions, AED use and suspected opioid overdose
The legislation would, among other things, restrict patients to a three-day supply of painkillers the first time they are prescribed an opioid drug
The bill would exempt minors from prosecution if they call 911 to report an overdose or other drug-related health emergency
A 10-year study found an increase in prescription opioid use disorders, frequency of use and related deaths
Experience shows that many EMS agencies lack three essential policies to prevent and protect the agency from harm
The number of heroin and other opioid overdoses has been steadily growing since 2009
David Lodarski and his paramedic son were going off-roading when a vehicle struck their ATV, sending them tumbling toward oncoming traffic
Some concerned viewers called 911, others urged her to stop driving before she caused a crash
The family of the young men decided to release the video to raise awareness about irresponsible driving
Police found the Ohio man, 22, on the floor in the fetal position and surrounded by snacks