Resource Library

Toolkits, guides, and other resources vetted by experts in overdose prevention.

 

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Non-Opioid Treatments for Chronic Pain Fact Sheet

Patients with pain should receive treatment that provides the greatest benefit. Opioids are not the first-line therapy for chronic pain outside of active cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care. Evidence suggests that nonopioid treatments, including nonopioid medications and nonpharmacological therapies, can provide relief to those suffering from chronic pain, and are safer. Read through this fact sheet to get a better understanding of how to effectively approach non-opioid solutions to chronic pain.

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Why Health Plans Should Go to the “MAT” in the Fight Against Opioid Addiction

MAT has been proven to save lives, improve quality of life, and lower medical costs, but remains inaccessible to almost 90% of the people it could help. This paper outlines concrete strategies that public and private plans can implement in their efforts to ensure that their members have access to MAT when and where they need it.

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Recommendations for Safe Opioid Prescribing

Safe Med LA, the opioid coalition for LA county created a 10-page recommendation on safe prescribing, broken down into six main focus areas: (1) Safe Opioid Prescribing; (2) Avoid Escalating Opioid Doses; (3) Avoid Dangerous Medication Combinations ; (4) Safe Tapering Practices; (5) Concurrent Drug and Alcohol Use; (6) Opioid Use Disorder and Medications for Addiction Treatment. Use this recommendation in conjunction with the Safe Opioid Prescribing Recommendations Template to customize the guidelines for your own communities and prescribers.

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COPN Safer Prescribing Fact Sheet

Opioids can be safe when carefully prescribed and monitored by a clinician, but they are not generally effective in treating long-term chronic pain and they have the potential to become addictive and misused. Prescribing guidelines are an important mechanism to align practices with evidence and safety. Use this fact sheet to learn more about safe prescribing.

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A Guide to SAMHSA's Strategic Prevention Framework

Prevention planners are pressed to put in place solutions to urgent substance misuse problems facing their communities. But research and experience have shown that prevention must begin with an understanding of these complex behavioral health problems within their complex environmental contexts; only then can communities establish and implement effective plans to address substance misuse. Read this document to understand the framework that SAMHSA has created.

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Coalition Fact Sheet Template

Successful coalitions are prepared to engage the public, recruit allies for the cause, and get the message out to as many people as possible. A coalition fact sheet will help your coalition tell your story including your goals, strategies, and accomplishments. This template provides an outline with examples and prompts for developing a fact sheet that can be used when creating a coalition website, presentation, or other outreach materials.

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Justification for Support Worksheet

This worksheet will help you outline why your coalition is choosing to continue an existing effort or beginning a new project. Make a strong case and approach partners with confidence for why you should continue to develop your coalition. Think about the benefits that your coalition provides to your community, who are you reaching, what are you accomplishing, and how are you promoting healthier lives.

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