Tag Archives: Opioid

Grand Rapids symposium focused on Michigan opioid response

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The Michigan Public Health Practice-Based Research Network (MI-PBRN) presents its 2018 symposium at Western Michigan University’s Downtown Grand Rapids campus, 200 Ionia Avenue, Grand Rapids, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19.

 

The group’s fourth annual symposium is focused on the Michigan opioid prevention response, bringing together researchers, nonprofit administrators and policy makers to identify key aspects of Michigan’s opioid epidemic to develop collaborations to address Michigan’s opioid crisis.

 

“The opioid crisis is growing in Michigan. In our efforts to address the determinants of health, health inequity and health disparities, we are working to enhance our efforts to prevent opioid abuse,” said Dr. David Wingard, TrueNorth Community Services Director of Research and Strategic Development. “This year we are focusing this annual research symposium on opioid prevention by bringing in state and national experts to inform and guide our strategic efforts.”

 

More information including registration details can be found here:  http://www.truenorthservices.org/PBRNSymposium.

 

PARTICIPANTS

  • Keynote speaker: Dr. Kimberly Johnson, former director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  • U.S. Congressman Fred Upton will host final session focused on the federal legislative impact on Michigan opioid response
  • Michigan Speaker of the House Tom Leonard (R-Dewitt)
  • Dr. Rob Lyerla, professor at Western Michigan University; former associate director of science at SAMHSA
  • Dr. Eden V. Wells, chief medical executive, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  • Lisa Brennan – executive director, Western Regional Area Health Education Center, Western Michigan University
  • Dr. Ron Cisler – dean, College of Health and Human Services, Western Michigan University Complete list of participants is available on the agenda, attached.

 

Kent County commissioners approve hiring two experts to respond to emerging public health concerns

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By Lisa LaPlante

Kent County

 

The Kent County Board of Commissioners voted this morning to approve the addition of two full-time Public Health Epidemiologist positions in the Health Department; one to assist with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), vapor intrusion and other environmental issues, and the other to address the opioid epidemic.

 

In 2017, the Health Department became aware of an investigation by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) regarding contaminated groundwater in the Belmont area. Water in a number of homes in that area is contaminated with PFAS.  “The staff at the Health Department have been on the front lines of informing and educating residents regarding test results, the known health consequences of PFAS, and ways to limit exposure,” said Jim Saalfeld, Chair of the Kent County Board of Commissioners. “As more areas of contamination are discovered, it is clear we need to adjust staffing levels to meet the needs of our residents.”

 

The person hired for this Epidemiologist position will be expected to provide subject matter expertise, conduct health surveillance, coordinate specimen collection, exercise legal authorities when applicable under direction of the Health Officer, communicate with residents and health providers, and be the primary intermediary with other agencies. In addition to PFAS, this role is also necessary to assist in the investigation and response of other environmental public health threats such as vapor intrusion.

 

The second position will provide leadership and administration of the Kent County Opioid Task Force (KCOTF). This Task Force convened three years ago under the coordination of the Red Project. “In Kent County, the rate of overdose deaths has increased four-fold since 2000, with 70 opioid-related deaths and over 680 opioid overdose-related Emergency Department visits in 2016,” said Adam London, Administrative Health Officer for Kent County. “In 2017, Kent County reported 93 opioid-related deaths with an average age of 39 years old, and we still are awaiting toxicology reports on a number of suspicious deaths. The staff of the Health Department are in a unique position to provide leadership in efforts to address education, prevention and access to recovery services.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently called the opioid issue “the largest man-made epidemic in the history of the world.”

 

The cost of both full-time positions will be funded by General Funds previously appropriated to the 2017-18 Health Fund budget for Emerging Issues. The Board is continuing to work with State lawmakers to make additional funding for these issues a priority in the 2019 Michigan budget.

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health distributes free life-saving narcotic overdose kits

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Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is now giving away free of charge the life-saving medication, Narcan, to patients upon discharge who experience an accidental or intentional opioid overdose. These kits are funded through a generous grant from the Metro Health Hospital Foundation.

 

Opioids, like heroin and common prescription pain medications, have been associated with overdoses at epidemic levels nationally. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, more than 33,000 people died because of opioids in 2015. The Center also reports that nearly half of all opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid. In 2015, Metro Health’s emergency department treated 285 drug overdoses with 190 of those being actual or potentially opioid related.

 

“Opioid use is on the rise, and so are overdoses,” said Dr. Marc Afman. “Overdoses can be accidental or intentional. We also know that if a person has one overdose, they are far more likely to have a second, and that one could be fatal. An overdose can happen to anyone. By distributing these kits, we are helping to save lives by providing education, community resources and Narcan; an antidote (reversal) for opioids.”

 

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is distributing Narcan in nasal spray form. Narcan is a prescription medication used to reverse the dangerous life-threatening effects of opioids. An overdose is a medical emergency. Narcan does not take the place of emergency medical care, and 911 should be called when it is used.

 

The hospital’s goals for distributing these kits include:

  • eliminating the need for the patient to travel to a pharmacy to fill a prescription for Narcan;
  • removing any financial barriers that would prohibit a patient from obtaining a kit at a pharmacy;
  • educating the patient and caregivers regarding appropriate use; and
  • reducing the amount of deaths in the community related to opiate overdoses.

 

“At Metro, we want to be clear about one thing: we do not encourage the improper use of opioid drugs; rather, we recognize that Narcan used immediately by family and friends could save the life of someone they hold dear,” said Pete Haverkamp RPh. “We recognize that not all overdose victims are using illegal drugs, and whatever the cause of the overdose, we want to provide life-saving tools to those who may need it the most.”

 

“Our mission at Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is to improve the health and well being of our communities,” said President and CEO Michael Faas. “The focus of this program is to be proactive and do what we can to curb the spread of this health epidemic. That’s why we are so pleased to provide these kits—free—to patients upon discharge who have overdosed on an opioid.”

 

Each Narcan kit includes two doses of the spray. Instructions are printed in English, Bosnian and Spanish. Also included in the kit are instructions indicating how to recognize an overdose, initiating emergency response by calling 911, and how to administer the life-saving medication, Narcan. Additional information includes a list of community resources where an individual, or family member, can find local help, including support groups, shelter, food, addiction services, crisis lines and counseling.