The Emerging Trends in Addiction Medicine Podcast series features the learnings of hospitals taking part in the CA Bridge Centers of Excellence project. In addition to sharing best practices for low-threshold access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder, this series will explore emerging treatment pathways for stimulant use disorder and post-overdose care. The series will also share learnings from the Centers of Excellence hospitals’ response to the increased supply of fentanyl in California so that all hospitals are able to address the overdose crisis with evidence-based care.

Overdose deaths in the United States dropped by nearly 17% between July 2023 and July 2024. However, over 93,000 people died of drug overdose in that period, more than the number of people who died from vehicle-caused accidents or firearms combined. This remains an urgent public health issue that requires evidence-based solutions. Public health interventions saved lives and must be expanded. Effective interventions include: the overdose prevention drug naloxone, expanded harm reduction services such as fentanyl test strips, increased access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and drug education based in facts, not fear.

Our partners at the National Harm Reduction Coalition have shared a curated list highlighting vetted support efforts led by harm reduction organizations in response to the recent wildfires. This includes details on needed supplies and opportunities to donate both for immediate relief and long-term rebuilding. While this list is not exhaustive, it prioritizes the needs of those most affected by the fires, based on the most current information available at the time of publication.

Words matter, especially when talking about substance use disorder (SUD). Shatterproof recognizes the difficulty of making language changes across organizations and systems. That’s why they created training materials that are made available for everyone wanting to make a difference.

The AOR database catalogues information about how 13 states of Appalachia are managing and spending funds received from litigation settlements with opioid manufactures, distributors, and retailers.

The holidays can be a difficult time for many. That’s why Mid- America ATTC developed a holiday toolkit. This toolkit includes tips for people in recovery and those who support them, harm reduction techniques for those who want to cut back during the holidays, self-care ideas, LGBTQ+ and recovery resources, and more!

How can coalitions ensure the sustainability of overdose prevention efforts? The following summary highlights key sustainability practices implemented by overdose prevention coalitions that participated in the California Overdose Prevention Network (COPN) Accelerator 5.0 Program. These case studies offer valuable insights for other coalitions seeking to strengthen their infrastructure and sustain their initiatives over time.

Did you know stigma can shorten a person’s lifespan by 12 years? In this episode of Addiction Medicine Made Easy, Casey Grover, MD reviews what stigma is, how it affects patients with stigmatizing conditions, and how to reduce stigma in health care.

In recent years overdose death rates have been highest among American Indian and Alaskan Native People. Research prioritized by native communities is essential for enhancing and promoting positive health outcomes. The Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) Program will support research projects led directly by Tribes and organizations that serve Native American communities. The NIH will also support the development of a Native Research Network to provide training, resources, and real-time support to N CREW participants.

How does stigma contribute to addiction and overdose deaths? To raise awareness, Shatterproof created the Addiction Stigma Index, the largest survey of public attitudes about substance use disorder (SUD) and people with SUD in the United States. The results provide insights into how stigma manifests and impacts people living with SUD, their loved ones, and their communities.

The toolkit was conceived and developed by Arlene Brown, a member of the Bishop Paiute Tribe, with support from NHRC staff, including Jessica Smith. It draws on insights from Tribal and Urban Native communities throughout California and incorporates resources from Indigenous harm reduction leaders across the nation and beyond.

The El Dorado Coalition for Overdose Prevention and Education created a template to be used for other overdose prevention coalitions to use for outlining the overdose crisis locally, their coalition's history, achievements, and ways for new members to get involved. This fact sheet can serve as an effective tool for communication and engagement with the community, coalition partners, and local decision-makers.

The El Dorado Coalition for Overdose Prevention and Education created a template to be used for other overdose prevention coalitions to use for outlining the overdose crisis locally, their coalition's history, achievements, and ways for new members to get involved. This fact sheet can serve as an effective tool for communication and engagement with the community, coalition partners, and local decision-makers.

The El Dorado Coalition for Overdose Prevention and Education created a template to be used for other overdose prevention coalitions to use for outlining the overdose crisis locally, their coalition's history, achievements, and ways for new members to get involved. This fact sheet can serve as an effective tool for communication and engagement with the community, coalition partners, and local decision-makers.

The Trinity Overdose Safety Coalition have provided their updated coalition charter to serve as an example for other overdose prevention coalitions. The charter provides coalition members with a formal operating structure and information needed to better understand the coalition’s overall purpose.

The El Dorado Coalition for Overdose Prevention and Education recently introduced a newsletter for their coalition an community members that focuses on highlighting partner achievements, showcasing the positive work being done by their coalition members like law enforcement, treatment centers, and youth groups in the county. This newsletter can be an example to be an adopted for your overdose prevention coalition.

Given the diversity of the El Dorado Coalition on Overdose Prevention and Education, developed a collaborative agreement. This is essential to ensure that every voice is heard and provides unity in their mission to save lives, despite differing opinions. This document can be used as an example to be adopted for your overdose prevention coalition.

The El Dorado Coalition for Overdose Prevention and Education (COPE) developed a comprehensive one-sheet fact sheet outlining the overdose crisis in El Dorado County, the coalition's history, achievements, and ways for new members to get involved. This fact sheet can be used as an example for your overdose prevention coalition and can serve as an effective tool for communication and engagement.

The SLO Opioid Safety Coalition created this organization structure info sheet for the community and members of their coalition. The info sheet provides a brief overview of the history and what the coalition is, the vision and mission statement, the coalition objectives and strategies, and the current membership. This resource can be used as an example to be adapted for your overdose prevention coalition.

The Trinity Opioid Safety Coalition created this new member welcome packet to provide the new coalition members with what the coalition is, the “why” behind the coalition’s efforts in a way to establish a common identity and purpose among members. This new member packet can be used an an example and be adapted for your overdose prevention coalition.