As of July of 2019, the CDC recorded a 5.6% decline in US opioid overdose deaths, the first time this number has dropped since 1999. During this period from 1999 to 2019, there have been almost 400,000 overdose deaths related to misuse of opioids, and every day an estimated 130 people die from opioid overdoses1…. [Read More…]
Battling the Opioid Epidemic with Prescription Drug Monitoring
Prescription Drug Monitoring Prescription Drug monitoring is a critical tool in the fight against the opioid epidemic. While state-based prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) let us know what drugs patients are prescribed, we must also know what drugs are actually in a patient’s system, prescribed or not. The Opioid Epidemic Despite many efforts that have… [Read More…]
Health Centers: The Growing Demand for Mental Health and Substance Use Services
There is a massive problem growing right underneath the noses of the medical community. Just look at the latest statistics from community health centers. Since 2010, visits to community health centers for behavioral health services, such as mental health and substance use, have increased by a startling 83%. That is not simply a statistic —… [Read More…]
New HRSA Funding for Substance Abuse & Mental Health Care
After talk of federal action to combat the opioid crisis, $350 million is now available in grants for health centers addressing substance abuse and mental health. “As our nation faces an opioid epidemic, HRSA’s programs and extensive networks place us in a unique position to leverage our expertise and resources to make a significant impact… [Read More…]
