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A Thematic Analysis of Overdose Prevention and Response Efforts in States Experiencing Declines in Rates of
Amber B Robinson1, Nida Ali1, Olga Costa1
11242 Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Objective:
To address the opioid overdose epidemic, it is important to understand the broad scope of efforts under way in states, particularly states in which the rate of opioid-involved overdose deaths is declining. The primary objective of this study was to examine core elements of overdose prevention activities in 4 states with a high rate of opioid-involved overdose deaths that experienced a decrease in opioid-involved overdose deaths from 2016 to 2017.
Methods:
We identified 5 states experiencing decreases in age-adjusted mortality rates for opioid-involved overdoses from 2016 to 2017 and examined their overdose prevention programs via program narratives developed with collaborators from each state's overdose prevention program. These program narratives used 10 predetermined categories to organize activities: legislative policies; strategic planning; data access, capacity, and dissemination; capacity building; public-facing resources (eg, web-based dashboards); training resources; enhancements and improvements to prescription drug monitoring programs; linkage to care; treatment; and community-focused initiatives. Using qualitative thematic analysis techniques, core elements and context-specific activities emerged.
Results:
In the predetermined categories of programmatic activities, we identified the following core elements of overdose prevention and response: comprehensive state policies; strategic planning; local engagement; data access, capacity, and dissemination; training of professional audiences (eg, prescribers); treatment infrastructure; and harm reduction.
Conclusions:
The identification of core elements and context-specific activities underscores the importance of implementation and adaptation of evidence-based prevention strategies, interdisciplinary partnerships, and collaborations to address opioid overdose. Further evaluation of these state programs and other overdose prevention efforts in states where mortality rates for opioid-involved overdoses declined should focus on impact, optimal timing, and combinations of program activities during the life span of an overdose prevention program.
Insights
States successfully reducing opioid overdose deaths utilize comprehensive strategies including policy, planning, data, training, treatment, and harm reduction. These integrated approaches are key to combating the opioid crisis effectively.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Policy
Background:
- The opioid overdose epidemic remains a critical public health challenge.
- Understanding successful overdose prevention strategies in states with declining mortality rates is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the core elements of overdose prevention activities in states that have experienced a decrease in opioid-involved overdose deaths.
- To identify key strategies contributing to the reduction of opioid overdose mortality.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative thematic analysis of program narratives from 5 states with declining opioid overdose death rates (2016-2017).
- Program activities were organized using 10 predetermined categories, including policies, planning, data, training, and treatment.
Main Results:
- Core elements identified include comprehensive state policies, strategic planning, local engagement, data access and dissemination, professional training, treatment infrastructure, and harm reduction.
- Context-specific activities within these core elements were also identified.
Conclusions:
- Successful overdose prevention requires implementing and adapting evidence-based strategies through interdisciplinary partnerships.
- Future evaluations should focus on the impact, timing, and combinations of program activities in states with declining overdose mortality.
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