Opioid Use Disorder and Community Resources

September 4, 2022

Author: Jessica Sapp

Working in healthcare regulation, specifically pharmacy regulation, I’ve been able to participate and contribute to conquering the opioid crisis in Florida. Opioids are substances that produce a morphine type of effect and depending on the class of drug it is, they can be highly addictive. The opioid crisis started in Florida in the early 2000s due to overprescribing practices and the misuse of prescription pain medications. If you have ever had surgery, you were likely prescribed a pain medication that is considered in the drug class of opioids. Being involved with an ever-evolving issue, I’ve been educated in substance abuse disorders and how so may individuals are personally affected, either directly or indirectly, with this chronic illness. I’ve also learned that our community lacks awareness in resources that are available to not only addicts, but their family and friends as well. Over the last ten years, laws have been enacted to help combat over prescribing practices. Some of these laws include shortened prescription time limits on prescribing for acute pain, reporting prescriptions to a database to prevent patients from “doctor shopping” and educating patients on opioid alternatives.

While early treatment and prevention can save relationships and lives, we all should know this isn’t foolproof. Most of my readers have more than likely personally known someone with an opioid use disorder and we know that some individuals will refuse help and continue to abuse. Addicts will sometimes resource to buying opioids off the streets. What is more common than ever now, is these street drugs can be laced with a highly fatal drug called Fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and only 2 milligrams can be lethal. In 2020, 56,000 people died from overdoses, which is 18 times the number is 2013[1]. What you may not know is that as a part of this person’s life, you have the ability to potentially save their life by administering Naloxone[2], which is a reversal agent used during an overdose, if you suspect they have overdosed.

Responding to an overdose does require some education. You must know how to obtain Naloxone, how to recognize and what the signs and symptoms of an overdose are, and most importantly, what to do. Due to recent changes in state laws, Naloxone is more accessible than ever and can be obtained by a friend or family member without a prescription through a pharmacy. This allows a loved one to obtain this life saving treatment ahead of time and to have on hand if ever needed. It is also readily available by law enforcement officers and other first responders. Florida has created a website with readily available resources in one place. This website is www.isavefl.com. It includes information on where to find Naloxone, education materials on overdoses, how to find treatment and other information on prevention. This website is helpful for not only addicts, but more importantly their family and friends.

Another law that was passed this year involves stricter penalties for individuals who are trafficking and selling opioids. Depending on the amount, an individual can face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty of selling opioids. These higher penalties were enacted into law to help deter individuals from participating in these crimes.

Our current Governor and First Lady have taken on this initiative to combat opioid use disorders and to create awareness in the community. Recently, a new recovery network was developed to assist those in need with the intention of disrupting the opioid endemic. This network is called Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) and is a behavioral assistance program and is currently available in 12 counties throughout Florida. This program is ran by collaborating agencies including the Florida Department of Health, the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Children and Families. It will help participants stabilize their chronic condition and provide medication assisted treatment.

Opioid use disorder is chronic illness that many are ashamed to openly discuss. By doing this, it only harms us and impedes the ability to know information and to find out what resources are available. With the new laws being implemented over the years, and continuing to be implemented, and with new recovery programs available through the state, our community has a plethora of resources that are available to addicts and their loved ones. To overcome this endemic, it will take a village and you are part of that village, to educate yourself and know the resources available.

 


[1] https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/fentanyl.html

[2] https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/naloxone


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