NewsNow - 12.16.2022

Dec. 16, 2022

>>> Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN): Findings from Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits, 2021

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) has released a new report: Findings from Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits, 2021. An analysis of final 2021 DAWN data presents: (1) nationally representative weighted estimates, including percent and unadjusted rates per 100,000, for all drug-related emergency department (ED) visits, (2) nationally representative weighted estimates for the top five drugs in drug-related ED visits, (3) the assessment of monthly trends and drugs involved in polysubstance ED visits in a subset of sentinel hospitals, and (4) the identification of drugs new to DAWN’s Drug Reference Vocabulary.

>>> ONDCP Announces Launch of National Dashboard of Non-Fatal Opioid Overdoses

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has announced the launch a first-of-its-kind national data dashboard of non-fatal opioid overdoses across the country. At a time when a non-fatal overdose is a leading predictor for a future fatal overdose, widespread access to this data will help first responders on the frontlines of the overdose epidemic target life-saving interventions such as the overdose-reversal medication naloxone. The dashboard will also help inform service providers as they connect people to life-saving treatment for substance use disorder. The data will be updated every Monday morning with a two-week lag.

>>> Federal Regulators Propose Expanding Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Federal regulators are proposing an update to federal treatment regulations for opioid use disorder, STAT News reported. The update would make permanent COVID-era policies that allow take-home doses of methadone and the use of telehealth to access buprenorphine prescriptions. The updated rules would eliminate a requirement that doctors with a special license to prescribe buprenorphine submit an annual report to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. They would also remove a requirement that patients must have an opioid use disorder for an entire year before being allowed to start treatment at a methadone clinic. “These proposed federal rule changes will make it easier for people to access lifesaving treatment and to maintain their recovery,” Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in a news release. Public comment on the proposed regulatory changes may be made until Feb. 14, 2023.

>>> NIH Launches Harm Reduction Research Network to Prevent Overdose Fatalities

To address the overdose crisis in the United States, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established a research network that will test harm reduction strategies in different community settings to inform efforts to help save lives. The harm reduction research network’s efforts build on existing harm reduction research, and represent the largest pool of funding from NIH to date to study harm reduction strategies to address overdose deaths. Click HERE to read the media announcement and HERE to read a blog from Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

>>> 20th Ohio Problem Gambling Conference – February 2023

The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio and Ohio for Responsible Gambling invite you to attend the 20th Ohio Problem Gambling Conference. Celebrating two decades of problem gambling support services in Ohio, this year’s theme reflects on our history of problem gambling support services while looking to the future as we prepare for the impact of legal sports betting and beyond. The conference will consist of a two-day virtual pre-conference on Feb. 7 & 9 and a two-day in-person conference on Feb. 23-24 at Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center in Lewis Center, Ohio. Through lecture-style presentations, the virtual pre-conference will focus on bridging the gaps in Ohio's service system. The first day of the main conference will allow attendees to apply learned skills in a collaborative environment through workshops led by experts in the field. In preparation for the launch of legal sports betting, the second day of the conference will be formatted as a summit where attendees will engage with panelists from across the field to prepare for sports betting’s impact on Ohioans.

CEUs for the conference and pre-conference are pending and will provide up to a total of 20 CEUs through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board, Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage & Family Therapist Board, and International Gambling Counselor Certification Board. Scholarships for attendees with prevention certifications as well as for those in recovery are available. Attendees can choose to attend the virtual pre-conference only ($50), attend one day of the main conference including the pre-conference ($125), or attend the entire conference as a whole. Early registration for the entire conference is $150 and closes on Dec. 30. Starting in January, the cost to attend the entire conference will go up to $175. Registration, scholarship, and hotel information for the conference can be found at: https://pgnohio.org/20th-conference/. Any questions about the conference can be directed to Claire Spada with Problem Gambling Network of Ohio at CSpada@PGNOhio.org.

>>> Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Survivors of Trauma Training – Feb. 6,7 and 13, 2023

The Tri-State Trauma Network is sponsoring a virtual Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Survivors of Trauma training on Feb. 6, 7 and 13, 2023. The sessions will be led by Dr. Kirby Reutter, CDBT, LMHC, CADAC, MAC, a bilingual psychologist and leading trauma specialist who contracts with the Department of Homeland Security to provide mental health treatment services to refugees seeking asylum. Click the link above for more information and to register. Questions? Please call Melissa Adamchik at 859.866.4238 or email madamchik@tristatetraumanetwork.org.

In the News

12.15.22 | Dayton Daily News Agencies prepare for problem gambling surge when sports betting is legal

12.15.22 | Canton Repository What’s the difference between a gambling enthusiast and an addict? Advice from an expert

12.15.22 | WKBN-TV New facility to open servicing Valley women and children

12.15.22 | WEWS-TV Rate of overdose deaths slowing, CDC says

12.15.22 | Ohio University Statewide Center works toward health equity for all Ohioans

12.15.22 | WBNS-TV DeWine to focus on mental health, jobs, education in next 4 years

12.15.22 | Cleveland.com More first responders, mental health services on the way to Northeast Ohio thanks to grant money

12.15.22 | Findlay Courier ‘You Belong’ grants seek to spread good will

12.15.22 | NIH Most reported substance use among adolescents held steady in 2022

12.14.22 | WCMH-TV Ohio cracks top 10 in fentanyl overdose deaths

12.14.22 | WEWS-TV ‘Take Ten’ punching room providing Canton South HS students mental, emotional relief