International Overdose Awareness Day

Decriminalization: How police drug seizure, even without arrest, can create harms

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 30, 2023

International Overdose Awareness Day, an annual campaign to end overdose and drug poisonings while also remembering those who have died, is Aug. 31.

Key Points: 
  • International Overdose Awareness Day, an annual campaign to end overdose and drug poisonings while also remembering those who have died, is Aug. 31.
  • Events are being held in communities across Canada, a sign of a worsening crisis that has taken more than 36,000 lives since 2016.
  • The decriminalization of people who use drugs has long been one of the proposed solutions, an approach that is currently being piloted in British Columbia.

Depenalization in Vancouver

    • Seventeen years ago, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) launched its drug policy to promote the depenalization of simple possession offences.
    • Local communities of people who use drugs and public health advocates in Vancouver expressed concern about the harm created by this policing behaviour.
    • We undertook surveys involving more than 1,800 people who used drugs on a daily basis in Vancouver to investigate this often undocumented discretionary policing practice.

Police drug seizures without arrest

    • For example, it can put people at a higher risk of drug market violence by creating drug debts.
    • Amid the ongoing drug toxicity crisis, increasing the frequency of buying drugs in the unregulated drug market, especially through an unknown source, increases risk of drug poisoning.
    • This is contrary to a belief held among some police officers that seizing drugs would prevent harms, including drug poisoning.

The role of police in the toxic drug crisis

    • A broader question is: Are there any circumstances where police drug seizures are beneficial in preventing drug poisoning?
    • A recent study from the United States highlighted that police efforts to reduce the unregulated drug supply may worsen the drug toxicity crisis by showing a consistent pattern.
    • Several scholars noted that police drug seizures would not address the toxic drug supply, that the narrow mission of police may exacerbate drug-related harms and that more harm reduction interventions to address the toxic drug supply are needed.
    • The annual International Overdose Awareness Day compels us to reckon with ongoing toxic drug deaths and what we can do to reverse this worsening crisis.

Waismann Method Shines a Light on the Unseen this International Overdose Awareness Day 2023

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Recognized internationally, IOAD fervently works to reduce overdose deaths, honor the lives lost without bias, and provide solace to the mourning relatives and friends.

Key Points: 
  • Recognized internationally, IOAD fervently works to reduce overdose deaths, honor the lives lost without bias, and provide solace to the mourning relatives and friends.
  • This year's pivotal theme, "Recognizing those people who go unseen," underscores the countless unnoticed victims of the opioid epidemic.
  • "In the face of the overwhelming overdose crisis, our daily endeavor at Waismann Method is rooted in providing advanced, medically proven solutions," articulated Clare Waismann.
  • Waismann Method's IOAD 2023 Initiatives:
    Educational Podcasts : Hosting educational podcasts elucidating overdose prevention, the nuances of opioid dependence, and advanced medical-based treatment modalities.

Emergent BioSolutions’ NARCAN® Nasal Spray Launches Over the Counter Making it Possible for Everyone to Help Save a Life from an Opioid Overdose Emergency

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Over-the-counter (OTC) access to NARCAN® Nasal Spray offers more people the ability to respond in an opioid emergency, helping to save lives and keep loved ones and communities safe.

Key Points: 
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) access to NARCAN® Nasal Spray offers more people the ability to respond in an opioid emergency, helping to save lives and keep loved ones and communities safe.
  • “Picking up NARCAN® Nasal Spray at the store is not a sign that your family has “a problem,” in fact it shows you are prepared just in case.
  • The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of NARCAN® Nasal Spray is $44.99 per carton, which is equivalent to roughly $22.50 per dose.
  • While Emergent works with partners to help maintain access and affordability, the price of the product is set by individual retailers.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Grant Supports Efforts to Address Substance Use Disorder in Northern Virginia

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 6, 2022

For the past nine years, the Foundation has worked to save lives from overdose and support recovery from substance use disorder.

Key Points: 
  • For the past nine years, the Foundation has worked to save lives from overdose and support recovery from substance use disorder.
  • Substance use disorder is a major public health challenge that affects not only the health of individuals, but entire communities, said Dr. Anne Fedyszen, Behavioral Health Medical Director at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
  • Since then, they have offered free recovery support services, resources, and education to individuals in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
  • The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

ON NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH, WITH ADDICTION RATES SOARING, RECOVERY CENTERS OF AMERICA REMINDS US THAT SAVING ONE LIFE SAVES MANY

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 1, 2022

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- When Recovery Centers of America helps even one person break free from addiction, we help every person that is impacted by that person's substance use – family, friends, coworkers, therapists, law enforcement, and the list goes on and on.

Key Points: 
  • - V. Douglas
    During this National Recovery Month , with substance use disorder rates at an all-time high, RCA reminds us that freeing one life from the grip of addiction impacts entire communities.
  • Now he works at Recovery Centers of America helping others start and maintain their sobriety journey.
  • Recovery Centers of America is dedicated to helping patients achieve a life of recovery through evidence-based alcohol and drug addiction treatment, as well as treatment for mental health disorders.
  • For the third year, RCA is recognized as having multiple sites atop Newsweek's 2022 America's Best Addiction Centers rankings for excellence.

High-Dose Naloxone Product Giving People Hope to Help Combat Growing Opioid Overdose Trend

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day, and ZIMHI (naloxone HCL injection), a higher-dose naloxone product approved for use in the treatment of opioid overdose, is helping bring attention to the growing opioid epidemic in the United States, and why Every Moment Matters when it comes to treating an overdose.

Key Points: 
  • Today is International Overdose Awareness Day, and ZIMHI (naloxone HCL injection), a higher-dose naloxone product approved for use in the treatment of opioid overdose, is helping bring attention to the growing opioid epidemic in the United States, and why Every Moment Matters when it comes to treating an overdose.
  • Every moment matters when someone is experiencing an overdose, and we expect this product to have a significant impact across the United States.
  • US WorldMeds is working to educate communities nationwide on the effectiveness of intramuscular naloxone administration, as intranasal delivery may not be the optimal solution for all patients experiencing an opioid overdose.
  • US WorldMeds has built a branded product portfolio in the therapeutic areas of opioid withdrawal and malignant hyperthermia.

New Tools and Resources Aim to Help Guide Local, County, and State Policymakers Make Community Investments of Opioid Settlement Funds

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Through a $365,000 grant from the Elevance Health Foundation,Dukeresearcherswillworkwiththeirstrategic partner,ThirdHorizon Strategies,tocreate a series of toolkits and playbooks for policymakers to maximize use of these funds in their communities.

Key Points: 
  • Through a $365,000 grant from the Elevance Health Foundation,Dukeresearcherswillworkwiththeirstrategic partner,ThirdHorizon Strategies,tocreate a series of toolkits and playbooks for policymakers to maximize use of these funds in their communities.
  • New effort will assist communities and states in investing opioid settlement funds to improve treatment and recovery.
  • "Our firm is thrilled to lend its consensus-building and market analytics skills to provide policymakers with actionable tools they need to make informed life-saving decisions."
  • To learn more about Elevance Health Foundation, please visit www.elevancehealth.foundation orfollowus@ElevanceFNDonTwitter and Elevance Health Foundation on Facebook.

Sunrise House Treatment Center Hosts Free Overdose Training Session for the Community

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 24, 2022

LAFAYETTE, N.J., Aug. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, Sunrise House Treatment Center is educating the community on how to save lives.

Key Points: 
  • LAFAYETTE, N.J., Aug. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, Sunrise House Treatment Center is educating the community on how to save lives.
  • As a result, Sunrise House will host a free virtual training session accessible to any member of the community on how to administer the life-saving opioid overdose antidote Narcan.
  • Sunrise House Treatment Centers virtual training session will take place on August 30 at 5:00 p.m. EDT .
  • Sunrise House Treatment Center is located in Lafayette, N.J. Sunrise House treats patients who are struggling with drug addiction, alcohol addiction and co-occurring mental/behavioral health issues.

River Oaks Treatment Center Hosts Free Overdose Training Session for the Community

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 24, 2022

RIVERVIEW, Fla., Aug. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, River Oaks Treatment Center is educating the community on how to save lives.

Key Points: 
  • RIVERVIEW, Fla., Aug. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, River Oaks Treatment Center is educating the community on how to save lives.
  • As a result, River Oaks will host a free virtual training session accessible to any member of the community on how to administer the life-saving opioid overdose antidote Narcan.
  • River Oaks Treatment Centers virtual training session will take place on August 30 at 4:00 p.m. EDT .
  • Florida has ranked number two in terms of overdose deaths, and the prevalence of fentanyl in the Tampa area is known on a national scale, said Jeff Turiczek, CEO of River Oaks Treatment Center.

AdCare Rhode Island and AdCare Hospital Host Free Overdose Training Sessions for the Community

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 24, 2022

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. and WORCESTER, Mass., Aug. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, AdCare Rhode Island is educating the community on how to save lives.

Key Points: 
  • NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. and WORCESTER, Mass., Aug. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, AdCare Rhode Island is educating the community on how to save lives.
  • In 2021, the country saw yet another record year of overdose deaths with more than 107,000 lives lost, a 15% increase from the number of overdose deaths in 2020, and Rhode Island was not spared from those results.
  • As a result, AdCare Rhode Island will host a free virtual training session accessible to any member of the community on how to administer the life-saving opioid overdose antidote Narcan.
  • AdCare Rhode Islands virtual training session will take place on August 30 at 11:00 a.m. EDT .