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Former drug users work on the front lines of the opioid crisis in Rhode Island

William Brangham Frank Carlson Mike Fritz

October 06, 2017 |

PBS NewsHour |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Anchor Recovery is a government-funded program that hires former opioid users to reach out to addicts. They’re called “recovery coaches.” The idea is to use their former experiences with addiction as a source of connection with opioid addicts. So far, the program has helped an estimated 400 people get treatment. “I have been in this room. I have been in your position. I know exactly how you feel at this moment.”

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Putting needles to numbers: How they're tracking the heroin epidemic in Summit County

Tara Molina

October 05, 2017 |

WEWS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Akron, Ohio

The existence of an opioid abuse crisis is widely acknowledged, however there is a lack of efficient methodologies to collect, analyze, and disseminate data related to the crisis. The Summit County public health department uses EpiCenter—software created for epidemiologists—to collect data on hospitalizations, overdoses, and calls to emergency services and analyze opioid abuse data in the same way as the flu or other diseases. The data is published online and allows for policy makers to better understand where to allocate resources as well as providing insight to county residents on the extent of opioid abus

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Dentists take bite out of opioid epidemic

Zane Sparling

October 03, 2017 |

The Gresham Outlook |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Dentists in Multnomah County, Oregon are helping to prevent "doctor shopping", where addicts attempt to get prescriptions from multiple providers. They are doing this by checking a national database that lists all of a patient's current prescriptions, and not prescribing refills on opiate prescriptions without a follow-up visit. This effort has drastically reduced the number of overall prescriptions written, and replaced those drugs with ibuprofen and tylenol, which are both proven to be more effective in relieving acute pain.

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Opioid crisis puts Ohio jails at the center of burden and opportunity

Rachel Dissell

October 01, 2017 |

Cleveland.com (The Plain Dealer) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

As jails in Ohio struggle with the skyrocketing numbers of people addicted to opioids, they are increasingly becoming the state's primary detox centers. This article explores how several counties are addressing the issue by connecting inmates to jobs, training and housing to cut down on overdose deaths and reduce recidivism. Medicaid has also made it easier to get inmates health insurance coverage, which gives them access to treatment and medications upon release.

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Courts That Save Opioid Victims' Family Life

Amelia Schonbek

September 26, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Dunkirk, New York

The rampant opioid epidemic tearing through communities across the United States is exacerbated by a rigid court system that fails to address individual needs and a severe lack of comprehensive treatment options, even for those who want to get clean. Family Treatment Court, like the one in Chautauqua County, N.Y., provides parents who are addicts an innovative intervention program that includes a broad range of custom-tailored services to permanently quit their drug use and keep their families together.

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Syracuse doctor puts ER on front line of opioid epidemic

James T. Mulder

September 26, 2017 |

syracuse.com |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Syracuse, New York

Dr. Ross Sullivan, an ER doctor at Upstate University Hospital is trained in addiction treatment and has created a program in the emergency room to get overdose patients Suboxone while they wait to be admitted into inpatient treatment. Most doctors are unable to prescribe Suboxone for more than 72 hours, and most rehab facilities don't have room to admit new patients within that time frame. This solution allows patients seeking treatment for opioid addiction to access the care they need while they wait for more extensive treatment.

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How to Win a War on Drugs

Nicholas Kristof

September 22, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Portugal, Lisbon

By addressing drug addiction as a medical—rather than criminal—issue, Portugal has been able to reduce drug use as well as deaths caused by drugs. Strategies implemented include decriminalization, increased access to treatment, changes in prescribing patterns related to opioids, and ‘dissuasion’ courts.

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How a startup hopes to treat the rural opioid epidemic, at a profit

Ben Popper

September 20, 2017 |

The Verge |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Aurora, Indiana

A New York City opioid treatment startup called Groups is a solution for small towns with limited access to care for people struggling with opioid addiction. They overcome the hurdles of high cost, proximity to care, and stigma that stymy government response by offering simple, one-size-fits-all, medically assisted group recovery.

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How one city's VA health system has greatly reduced opioid prescribing

Ali Mchaourab Jason Tuckerman Anupam Jena

September 12, 2017 |

STAT |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

The Cleveland VA developed a program to curb the number of opioid prescriptions given by their doctors by using evidence-based, best practice pain management. Physicians are connected with a training program about effective pain management, and connected with pain-management specialist teams so that they can consult on specific cases. This program has been effective in reducing the number of opioid prescriptions, and in relieving pain for patients in a sustainable way.

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Wilmington's Solution to the Opioid Crisis

J. Brian Charles

September 01, 2017 |

Governing |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Wilmington, North Carolina

The opioid crisis has resulted in numerous addictions, overdoses and deaths, leading North Carolina to reassess how they are handling the crisis. A rapid-response team checks on users after being given naloxone, health-care navigators will help users get treatment, and individuals will be sent to treatment instead of prison.

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