An Evidence-Based Approach to Using Opioid Settlement Funds to Address the Opioid Crisis in Georgia
Abstract
Background: A sharp increase in the number of Georgians suffering from opioid use disorder (OUD) has led to an array of health and social problems commonly referred to as the opioid crisis. Through litigation, Georgia has held opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies accountable for flooding the state with prescription opioids, resulting in around $1 billion over the next two decades to abate the opioid crisis. Georgia has made a commitment to use most of this money to address the opioid crisis in the state.
Methods: The efforts needed to abate the opioid crisis are vast and include a wide range of interventions across the continuum of care, which include prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. A portfolio of policies and interventions will be needed. This presentation will present evidence-based strategies and promising approaches within the levels of prevention framework to address the opioid crisis in Georgia.
Results: In the levels of prevention framework, primary prevention aims to reduce the incidence of OUD. Evidence-based approaches include interventions that promote more cautious opioid prescribing, increase prescription opioid safety, and targeted youth prevention of prescription misuse. Secondary prevention aims to identify and treat OUD early in the course of the disease. Evidence-based approaches include screening for OUD in a variety of settings and linking individuals to evidence-based treatment when appropriate. Tertiary prevention aims to effectively treat cases of OUD and reduce opioid-related harms, including nonfatal and fatal overdoses. Evidence-based approaches include treating OUD with medications, overdose prevention with naloxone, and recovery support services.
Conclusion: With the incoming opioid settlement funds, Georgia has an unprecedented opportunity to build and sustain evidence-based programs to address the opioid crisis and implement innovative and promising programs.
Keywords
opioid crisis, opioid use disorder, heroin, fentanyl, prescription opioids, medications for opioid use disorder, naloxone
An Evidence-Based Approach to Using Opioid Settlement Funds to Address the Opioid Crisis in Georgia
Background: A sharp increase in the number of Georgians suffering from opioid use disorder (OUD) has led to an array of health and social problems commonly referred to as the opioid crisis. Through litigation, Georgia has held opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies accountable for flooding the state with prescription opioids, resulting in around $1 billion over the next two decades to abate the opioid crisis. Georgia has made a commitment to use most of this money to address the opioid crisis in the state.
Methods: The efforts needed to abate the opioid crisis are vast and include a wide range of interventions across the continuum of care, which include prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. A portfolio of policies and interventions will be needed. This presentation will present evidence-based strategies and promising approaches within the levels of prevention framework to address the opioid crisis in Georgia.
Results: In the levels of prevention framework, primary prevention aims to reduce the incidence of OUD. Evidence-based approaches include interventions that promote more cautious opioid prescribing, increase prescription opioid safety, and targeted youth prevention of prescription misuse. Secondary prevention aims to identify and treat OUD early in the course of the disease. Evidence-based approaches include screening for OUD in a variety of settings and linking individuals to evidence-based treatment when appropriate. Tertiary prevention aims to effectively treat cases of OUD and reduce opioid-related harms, including nonfatal and fatal overdoses. Evidence-based approaches include treating OUD with medications, overdose prevention with naloxone, and recovery support services.
Conclusion: With the incoming opioid settlement funds, Georgia has an unprecedented opportunity to build and sustain evidence-based programs to address the opioid crisis and implement innovative and promising programs.
