Increases in Drug and Opioid Overdose Deaths—United States, 2000–2014

Rudd, Rose A.; Aleshire, Noah; Zibbell, Jon E.; Gladden, R. Matthew

doi:10.1111/ajt.13776

Cited by 342 publications

(110 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Consistent with national trends, we found increases in the overall number of drug-related death and that these increases were largely driven by opioids. 4 Using data collected from toxicology reports, we were able to examine the specific opioid-related substances detected in these deaths. Heroin and fentanyl were the substances with the highest annual increases in accidental overdose fatalities during the study period.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Examining Fatal Opioid Overdoses in Marion County, Indiana

et al. 2017

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Drug-related overdoses are now the leading injury-related death in the USA, and many of these deaths are associated with illicit opioids and prescription opiate pain medication. This study uses multiple sources of data to examine accidental opioid overdoses across 6 years, 2010 through 2015, in Marion County, IN, an urban jurisdiction in the USA. The primary sources of data are toxicology reports from the county coroner, which reveal that during this period, the most commonly detected opioid substance was heroin. During the study period, 918 deaths involved opioids, and there were significant increases in accidental overdose deaths involving both heroin and fentanyl. In order to disentangle the nature and source of opioid overdose deaths, we also examine data from Indiana's prescription drug monitoring program and the law enforcement forensic services agency. Results suggest that there have been decreases in the number of opiate prescriptions dispensed and increases in law enforcement detection of both heroin and fentanyl. Consistent with recent literature, we suggest that increased regulation of prescription opiates reduced the likelihood of overdoses from these substances, but might have also had an iatrogenic effect of increasing deaths from heroin and fentanyl. We discuss several policy implications and recommendations for Indiana.3

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, policies regarding the availability and funding of evidence-based treatments have lagged behind and likely play a role in the rates of overdose found in this study and others which suggest nonmedical prescription drug use and overdose in Indiana are higher than national rates. 4,50 …”

Section: Conclusion and Policy Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining Fatal Opioid Overdoses in Marion County, Indiana

et al. 2017

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“…[7] Deaths due to drug overdoses were nearly three times higher in 2014 compared to those in 1999; most of these increases were attributed to opioids. [8] Additionally, many prescription opioid users have switched to more available street drugs, such as heroin or synthetic opioids, to satiate their need. [8] One state that has been particularly plagued by this drug epidemic is West Virginia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fueled by an Epidemic: A Spatial Analysis of Opioid-Positive Drivers Fatally Injured in Motor Vehicle Collisions in West Virginia, 2011-2015

Rudisill¹

2017

AJPHR

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Background: Narcotics usage is associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle collision and opioid overdose deaths are elevated in West Virginia compared to other states in the United States. This analysis sought to determine the prevalence of narcotics among drivers fatally injured in motor vehicle collisions in West Virginia and to determine if these collisions were clustered in areas of the state where opioid use/abuse is high. Methodology/Principal Findings: Fatal crash data from 2011-2015 were obtained from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the locations of the collisions were plotted with spatial software. Spatial analyses, including nearest neighbor indexes, heat maps and hot-spots, were conducted to determine if and where clusters of opioid-positive crashes existed. The results of the spatial analyses were visually compared to the rates of opioid overdose deaths by county, which served as a proxy of opioid use/abuse. Of the 486 drivers, 19% (n=94) tested positive for opioids. A clustering of opioid positive crashes was detected in the state overall (nearest neighbor index=0.89, p-value=0.055). Hot-spots were detected in the lower regions of the state, which overlapped counties with the highest rates of opioid overdose deaths, and cold-spots were detected in areas with lower opioid overdose death rates. Conclusions/Significance: Individuals using narcotics may still operate motor vehicles, which may pose a threat to all road users in West Virginia. Public health interventions, education, or enforcement may be needed in areas of high opioid use/abuse to raise awareness of driving under the influence of drugs.

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“…Substance abuse is a major public health issue in America, especially given that the USA (US) is currently facing a national epidemic of overdose deaths, with more people dying from overdoses than ever recorded before [1]. From 1999 to 2016, drug overdose deaths more than tripled [2], making overdose the leading cause of accidental death in the US [3].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent years, however, heroin and synthetic opioids in particular have contributed to the increased overdose rates [1,4]. In 2015, approximately 591,000 people had a heroin-use disorder in particular [6].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Addressing the growing opioid and heroin abuse epidemic: a call for medical school curricula

Ratycz

Papadimos

Vanderbilt

2018

Medical Education Online

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Substance abuse is a growing public health concern in the USA (US), especially now that the US faces a national drug overdose epidemic. Over the past decade, the number of drug overdose deaths has rapidly grown, largely driven by increases in prescription opioid-related overdoses. In recent years, increased heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl overdoses have substantially contributed to the rise of overdose deaths. Given the role of physicians in interacting with patients who are at risk for or currently abusing opioids and heroin, it is essential that physicians are aware of this issue and know how to respond. Unfortunately, medical school curricula do not devote substantial time to addiction education and many physicians lack knowledge regarding assessment and management of opioid addiction. While some schools have modified curricula to include content related to opioid prescription techniques and pain management, an added emphasis about the growing role of heroin and fentanyl is needed to adequately address the epidemic. By adapting curricula to address the rising opioid and heroin epidemic, medical schools have the potential to ensure that our future physicians can effectively recognize the signs, symptoms, and risks of opioid/heroin abuse and improve patient outcomes. This article proposes ways to include heroin and fentanyl education into medical school curricula and highlights the potential of simulation-based medical education to enable students to develop the skillset and emotional intelligence necessary to work with patients struggling with opioid and heroin addiction. This will result in future doctors who are better prepared to both prevent and recognize opioid and heroin addiction in patients, an important step in helping reduce the number of addicted patients and address the drug overdose epidemic.

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Increases in Drug and Opioid Overdose Deaths—United States, 2000–2014

Abstract: Deaths from opioid overdoses are increasing in the United States, which may have an impact on the organ donor pool.

Cited by 342 publications

References 3 publications

Examining Fatal Opioid Overdoses in Marion County, Indiana

Examining Fatal Opioid Overdoses in Marion County, Indiana

Fueled by an Epidemic: A Spatial Analysis of Opioid-Positive Drivers Fatally Injured in Motor Vehicle Collisions in West Virginia, 2011-2015

Addressing the growing opioid and heroin abuse epidemic: a call for medical school curricula

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