Resources for the Opioid Abuse Epidemic

This from the Disaster Information Management Research Center Division of Specialized Information Services. Thanks, Robin! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have declared opioid abuse an epidemic, calling it a serious public health issue. Two states, Florida and Maryland, have recently declared states of emergency in response to the opioid crisis. NIH MedlinePlus magazine has an overview to help readers understand the opioid overdose epidemic, and the statistics are staggering: an estimated 1.9 million people in the US have a prescription opioid use disorder, while another 586,000 have a heroin use disorder. In 2014 alone, more than 28,000 people died from an opioid overdose. The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has collected resources about the opioid epidemic, including resources for health professionals and law enforcement. Issues that face first responders and first receivers include appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), treatment for overdoses, and coping with stress. The National Library of Medicine provides access to resources for responders, health professionals, and the general public: For first responders and healthcare professionals: Find links to detailed drug information about opioids on Drug Information Portal, and information about Naloxone. Also check the Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management (CHEMM) database for important information about Naloxone for first responders. For the general public: Learn about opi...
Source: The Cornflower - Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Tags: News from NIH/NLM Public Health Source Type: news