Opioid overdose knowledge among college students in a high overdose death state

Objectives. To examine trends in opioid overdose deaths by race/ethnicity from 2018 to 2019 across 67 HEALing Communities Study (HCS) communities in Kentucky, New York, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Methods. We used state death certificate records to calculate opioid overdose death rates per 100 000 adult residents of the 67 HCS communities for 2018 and 2019. We used Poisson regression to calculate the ratio of 2019 to 2018 rates. We compared changes by race/ethnicity by calculating a ratio of rate ratios (RRR) for each racial/ethnic group compared with non-Hispanic White individuals. Results. Opioid overdose death rates were 38.3 and 39.5 per 100 000 for 2018 and 2019, respectively, without a significant change from 2018 to 2019 (rate ratio = 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.98, 1.08). We estimated a 40% increase in opioid overdose death rate for non-Hispanic Black individuals (RRR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.22, 1.62) relative to non-Hispanic White individuals but no change among other race/ethnicities. Conclusions. Overall opioid overdose death rates have leveled off but have increased among non-Hispanic Black individuals. Public Health Implications. An antiracist public health approach is needed to address the crisis of opioid-related harms. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print September 9, 2021:e1–e4. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306431 )

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Data quality considerations when using county-level opioid overdose death rates to inform policy and practice: A reply

Drug and Alcohol Dependence ◽

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107550 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 204 ◽

pp. 107550

Author(s):

Chandler B. McClellan

Keyword(s):

Data Quality ◽

Opioid Overdose ◽

County Level ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Death Rates ◽

Overdose Death

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Increased Risk of Opioid Overdose Death Following Cold Weather

Epidemiology ◽

10.1097/ede.0000000000001041 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

pp. 637-641 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

William C. Goedel ◽

Brandon D. L. Marshall ◽

Keith R. Spangler ◽

Nicole Alexander-Scott ◽

Traci C. Green ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cold Weather ◽

Opioid Overdose ◽

Overdose Death ◽

Increased Risk

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Opioid Overdose Education, Prevention, and Management (DRAFT)

10.1093/med/9780190265366.003.0013 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bernd Wollschlaeger

Keyword(s):

The United States ◽

Opioid Use Disorder ◽

Opioid Overdose ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Death Rates ◽

Overdose Prevention ◽

Overdose Death ◽

Good Samaritan ◽

Opioid Deaths ◽

Good Samaritan Laws

In reviewing the elements of opioid overdose education, prevention, and management, this chapter focuses particularly on practical interventions that are available and deserve advocacy; e.g., provision of naloxone to those with opioid use disorder and to possible first responders. It moves from a discussion of the epidemiology of opioid deaths to the more individual topic of patient risk for overdose. Prophylactic interventions in the form of education of the patient’s family and friends, and agreements for treatment with informed consent are described. There follows a discussion of management of the opioid poisoning itself, including use/distribution of naloxone injection. Two figures are included: drug overdose death rates in the United States (2014); a map describing the current states with naloxone or “good Samaritan” laws impacting opioid overdose management. A text box with resources includes directions for initiation of community overdose prevention and intervention schemes.

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Impact of a community-based naloxone distribution program on opioid overdose death rates

Drug and Alcohol Dependence ◽

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.06.038 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 204 ◽

pp. 107536 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Rebecca B. Naumann ◽

Christine Piette Durrance ◽

Shabbar I. Ranapurwala ◽

Anna E. Austin ◽

Scott Proescholdbell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Opioid Overdose ◽

Community Based ◽

Death Rates ◽

Overdose Death

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Changes in the Era of COVID-19: What Can We Learn from the Acceleration of Opioid Overdose Deaths in Maryland over 15 years

10.31234/osf.io/pqktd ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alison Athey ◽

Paul Nestadt

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Seasonal Pattern ◽

Medical Examiner ◽

Opioid Overdose ◽

Manner Of Death ◽

Overdose Death ◽

Medication Assisted Treatment ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Overdose Deaths ◽

Data Period

This study tracks the number of accidental opioid overdose deaths (OOD) in Maryland from 2003-2020 and evaluates longitudinal trends, with a focus on increased mortality in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. All Marylanders with positive toxicology findings for opioids at the time of death from January 2003 through August 2020 (n = 1276) were included in analyses. Data were provided by the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) which evaluates all unexpected deaths in the state. We explored longitudinal trends in the data and found a simple seasonal pattern. The number of OOD during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic was similar to the number of predicted by pre-pandemic data period. We compared opioid overdose decedents from spring 2019 with those who died in the spring of 2020 to assess the association of the COVID-19 pandemic with changes in manner of death and risk factors for opioid overdose. The likelihood of an overdose death being ruled intentional was lower during the pandemic, and there was a shift in patterns of substance use which may have reflected disrupted access to preferred substances of abuse and medication assisted treatment during the lockdown. More research that includes nationally representative data, extends beyond the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and addresses mechanisms that drive change in substance use and treatment in the context of multiple national emergencies is needed.v

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Opioid overdose death in Wales: A linked data autopsy study

10.21203/rs.2.20086/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew Balquin Jones ◽

Ceri Bradshaw ◽

Gordon Fuller ◽

Ann John ◽

Jenna Jones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Service Use ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Demographic Characteristics ◽

Opioid Overdose ◽

Autopsy Study ◽

Service Usage ◽

Overdose Death ◽

The Uk ◽

Opioid Users

Abstract BackgroundFatal opioid overdose is a growing public health problem, the incidence of which is rising in the UK and in other western countries. We sought to describe factors associated with deaths, demographic characteristics, and service usage patterns of decedents of opioid overdose in a nation of the UK.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of opioid related deaths between 01/01/2012 and 11/10/2018 in Wales, UK, as identified from Office for National Statistics data. In addition to ONS records, the Welsh Demographic Service and National Health Service datasets were interrogated for records spanning the preceding three years. Records were linked on an individual basis using a deterministic algorithm. Decedents’ circumstances of death, demographic characteristics, and residency and service use patterns were described. Additionally, data pertaining to circumstances of death were briefly analysed.Results638 people died of opioid overdose in Wales between 01/01/2012 and 11/10/2018. Decedents were mostly male and around 50 years of age. Incidence per head of population was higher at the end of this period, peaking in 2015. In the 3 years prior to death the majority of decedents changed address at least once, but rarely moved far geographically. Over 80% of decedents visited the ED, the majority via emergency ambulance; over 60% were admitted to hospital; and over 30% visited specialist drug services on one or more occasion. Decedents who did not attend drug services were more likely to have died intentionally.ConclusionsHigh risk opioid users are often men of around 50 years of age living peripatetic lifestyles. It appears that those at high risk of dying from opioid overdose death use emergency medical services and are admitted to hospital comparatively often. They are less likely to visit specialist drug services however. Group differences between high risk opioid users who visit specialist drug services and those who do not appear to exist in relation to suicidality. Further research is needed in to delivering abstinence focussed or harm reduction based interventions via emergency services or inpatient hospital settings, and in understanding differences in suicidality between drug service attenders and non-attenders.

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Emerging and Continuing Trends in Opioid Overdose Decedent Characteristics during COVID-19

10.1101/2021.07.28.21261276 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gian-Gabriel P. Garcia ◽

Erin Stringfellow ◽

Catherine DiGennaro ◽

Nicole Poellinger ◽

Jaden Wood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Rhode Island ◽

Race And Ethnicity ◽

The United States ◽

Vital Statistics ◽

Opioid Overdose ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Death Rates ◽

Overdose Death ◽

Overdose Deaths

Background: Since COVID-19 erupted in the United States, little is known about how state-level opioid overdose trends and decedent characteristics have varied throughout the country. Objective: Investigate changes in annual overdose death rates, substances involved, and decedent demographics in opioid overdose deaths across nine states; assess whether 2019-2020 trends were emerging (i.e., change from 2019-2020 was non-existent from 2018-2019) or continuing (i.e., change from 2019-2020 existed from 2018-2019). Design: Cross-sectional study using vital statistics data to conduct a retrospective analysis comparing 2020 to 2019 and 2019 to 2018 across nine states. Setting: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wyoming. Participants: Opioid-related overdose deaths in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Measurements: Annual overdose death rate, proportion of overdose deaths involving specific substances, and decedent demographics (age, sex, race, and ethnicity). Results: We find emerging increases in annual opioid-related overdose death rates in Alaska (55.3% [P=0.020]), Colorado (80.2% [P<0.001]), Indiana (40.1% [P=0.038]), North Carolina (30.5% [P<0.001]), and Rhode Island (29.6% [P=0.011]). Decreased heroin-involved overdose deaths were emerging in Alaska (-49.5% [P=0.001]) and Indiana (-58.8% [P<0.001]), and continuing in Colorado (-33.3% [P<0.001]), Connecticut (-48.2% [P<0.001]), Massachusetts (39.9% [P<0.001]), and North Carolina (-34.8% [P<0.001]). Increases in synthetic opioid presence were emerging in Alaska (136.5% [P=0.019]) and Indiana (27.6% [P<0.001]), and continuing in Colorado (44.4% [P<0.001]), Connecticut (3.6% [P<0.05]), and North Carolina (14.6% [P<0.001]). We find emerging increases in the proportion of male decedents in Colorado (15.2% [P=0.008]) and Indiana (12.0% [P=0.013]). Limitations: Delays from state-specific death certification processes resulted in varying analysis periods across states. Conclusion: These findings highlight emerging changes in opioid overdose dynamics across different states, which can inform state-specific public health interventions.

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