The Wednesday Weekly - Aug. 18, 2021
Highlights
National
- Dispelling the potentially harmful myth of fentanyl OD risk from proximity or skin contact
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) scarce in federal prisons
State and Local
- RI legislation establishes first-in-the-nation safe injection site pilot
- Harm reduction in MI and NJ
- OH hospital offers novel treatment for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome - mom
Studies/Research in the News
- Half of pediatric opioid prescriptions are “high risk”
- “Summer babies” at greater risk for depression, addiction
- Can ultrasound treat addiction?
Opinion
- Harm reduction: Why the focus needs to pivot to “pre-covery”
- Alcohol industry capitalizes on popular pandemic pastime — drinking at home
Reviews
- Second of filmmaker’s three-part series on opioid epidemic in Vermont released
- Review of Eleanor Henderson’s memoir, “Everything I Have Is Yours”
Podcasts
- The Addicted Mind tackles addiction during pregnancy
- RMA considers Oregon’s Measure 110 to decriminalize drug use
- Dopey pays tribute to former co-host with ‘Chris-Miss’ in August!
- Heart of the Matter Guest Brandon Novak says success as pro skateboarder fed denial of addiction
Legislative Updates and Advocacy
- Calls to action: (1) The Recovery Set-Aside; (2) the public assistance ban for drug convictions; and (3) California’s SB 110 (contingency management services for stimulant use disorders)
- U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy to convene Aug. 30 meeting to discuss use of opioid settlement funds
National
Fact Check: Overdose of fentanyl just by being in its presence is not possible, experts say
A person cannot overdose from fentanyl just by being in its presence, according to toxicology experts who spoke to Reuters after speculation was posted online. “There’s no reason that people need to worry about accidental exposure if they come across someone who has overdosed and needs to be resuscitated,” said Dr Ryan Marino, medical director of Toxicology & Addiction at University Hospitals, Cleveland. “There should not be a delay and we do not need to worry about being around people who use drugs who face a lot of stigma as it is with this perception that they are contaminated, or dirty, or out to cause other people problems. It’s just not true.”
Reuters - Aug. 11, 2021
Press release: Adial Pharmaceuticals awarded U.S. and international patents for the treatment of alcohol and opioid use disorders
Adial Pharmaceuticals provided an update on recently issued patents for the use of it’s AD04, for the treatment of both Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The Company believes AD04 may hold significant potential for the treatment of OUD since the physiology and neurotransmitters involved in opioid addiction are similar to alcohol and could be expected to be modulated by a serotonin-3 receptor antagonist.
AP News - Aug. 10, 2021
Press Release: Confidant Health launches ‘pay it forward’ model for addiction treatment
Confidant Health today announced a new community payment model that makes addiction treatment and mental health services accessible within any budget, starting at just $1. Historically, only about 10% of people with substance use disorders that could benefit from care receive any specialty treatment, according to SAMHSA, the top reasons include not being ready to stop using, not knowing where to go, and cost. Confidant Health tackles each of these by offering care without requiring clients to stop using drugs and alcohol altogether, or a harm reduction model, and by delivering services that are virtual and easy to access from anywhere. Now, the new community payment model eliminates cost as a barrier to addiction treatment.
PR Newswire - Aug. 10, 2021
Drugs that treat opioid addiction and overdoses not widely available in federal prisons
In 2018, Congress passed the First Step Act, a wide-ranging prison reform measure that, among other things, required the federal prison system to expand access to medications for people addicted to opioids. The act came with tens of millions of dollars for implementation. Yet bureaucratic inertia and outdated thinking about addiction treatment mean the federal program is still serving only a tiny fraction of those eligible.
USA Today - Aug. 10, 2021
National State and Local Studies in the News Opinion Reviews Podcasts Leg/Advocacy
State / Local
Press Release: Harm reduction and recovery advocates praise NJ Governor Murphy
The Murphy Administration called for modernization of New Jersey’s restrictive harm reduction law and urged legislators to lift the municipal ordinance requirement that limits harm reduction services (S3009/A4847).
Insider NJ - Aug. 12, 2021
"Just keep that person alive": Michigan's harm reduction strategies prevent opioid overdoses
From 2000 to 2018, opioid overdose deaths have grown tenfold in Michigan. The state has a seven-pillar strategy to combat the opioid epidemic, one of which is sometimes controversial, yet also quickly gaining recognition and acceptance for its effectiveness: harm reduction. Harm reduction involves expanding access to naloxone and sterile syringes, aiming to minimize harmful effects for those who are using opioids.
Rapidgrowthmedia.com - Aug. 11, 2021
Could best medicine for newborns with opioid exposure be mom? Cincinnati hospitals try new approach
An infant is diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome every 19 minutes in the United States. Withdrawal symptoms can include diarrhea, sleep disruption, vomiting, fever, inability to feed properly, tremors and more. Just as medication is best for these mothers, latest research shows that the best treatment for their newborns is mom. When moms are kept together with their babies, the newborns were less likely to be put on drugs for withdrawal and discharged from the hospital in fewer days.
Cincinati Enquirer - Aug. 11, 2021
Report: Virginia has significantly expanded access to addiction treatment services through Medicaid
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services last week released a report, led by a team of researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University, highlighting a significant increase in access to addiction and recovery treatment services as a result of Medicaid expansion. VCU researchers report a 79% increase in Virginia Medicaid members receiving services between 2018 and 2019 — a result of both Medicaid expansion and an increase in treatment services offered.
VCU News - Aug. 10, 2021
Press release: Kentucky treatment facilities get $6 million in federal aid
Six substance abuse treatment programs in high-risk communities in eastern Kentucky have received $6 million in federal aid, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell announced Monday in a statement. The funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is part of an initiative to reduce the number of overdose deaths by increasing access to treatment. “Kentucky has tragically suffered one of the worst spikes in overdose deaths in the nation. With today’s federal grant announcement, we are continuing our efforts to reverse this painful trend,” U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said.
AP News - Aug. 10, 2021
Report: Opioid overdoses in Wisconsin rising during pandemic
Opioid overdoses in Wisconsin have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to a report the state Department of Health Services released Tuesday. The analysis shows the rate of overdose incidents rose from about seven per 100,000 people in January 2019 to about 13 per 100,000 people this past March. DHS officials said they plan to use $10.4 million that Wisconsin won as part of a multistate settlement to launch prevention programs for Black and American Indian communities, create health teams that will travel to areas of the state experiencing opioid spikes, reimburse counties for the costs of treating addicts, and cover housing for people in recovery.
AP News - Aug. 10, 2021
Rhode Island set to establish nation’s first harm reduction centers
Legislation written by the Rhode Island Medical Society (RIMS) and signed into law by Gov. Daniel McKee establishes a two-year pilot program to design, open and operate the nation’s first harm reduction centers that will save lives and direct people to treatment for substance-use disorders (SUDs). Rhode Island’s harm reduction centers, also known as overdose prevention sites or supervised injection facilities, will also seek to connect those with SUDs to resources such as physical and behavioral health screenings and recovery assistance.
American Medical Association - Aug. 9, 2021
National State/Local Studies/Research Opinion Reviews Podcasts Leg/Advocacy
Studies/Research in the News
Study: Half of pediatric opioid prescriptions are ‘high risk’
Children and young adults who have pain from surgery, dental care and other conditions are often prescribed opioids. But half of these prescriptions, a new national study suggests, are high risk because of their potential for adverse outcomes. What’s more, a small group of prescribers in the top 5% of prescriptions account for half of all opioid prescriptions for children and young adults and half of high risk prescriptions. Many of these prescribers are dentists or surgeons, and a disproportionate share practice in the South, according to the study in Pediatrics.
Univ. of Michigan Health Lab - Aug. 16, 2021
Study: Shot of addiction medication boosts treatment satisfaction
A new study detailed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains that a longer-lasting form of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is improving treatment satisfaction for people battling a substance use disorder.
KATU2 ABC - Aug. 12, 2021
‘Summer babies’ more likely to suffer depression, addiction
Children born in the summer who are the youngest in their class are more likely to develop depression and substance misuse disorder as adults, a study reveals. The London authors claim so-called 'summer babies' are also more likely to have low educational achievement, such as poorer grades, by the time they leave school. This is not just because they're missing out on extra learning time, but because there's something about being less mature behaviourally, cognitively and socially that 'places a child at risk for many later outcomes'.
Daily Mail - Aug. 11, 2021
New Fralin Biomedical Research Institute faculty member to advance addiction, pain research with focused ultrasound
Scientists have found new and powerful uses for ultrasound beyond its use as a diagnostic tool. Focused ultrasound is an exciting new noninvasive technology, not involving any surgical intervention. It is currently FDA approved for clinical use in humans to treat brain disorders. According to Wynn Legon, a neuroscientist and faculty member at Fralin, “we’ve chosen addiction and pain as our first targets because of the need in the community in light of the connection between pain and addiction. We’re in desperate need of nonpharmacological alternatives for pain treatment, to get away from dependence on opioids.”
Virginia Tech vtx.vt.edu - Aug. 9, 2021
National State/Local Studies/Research Opinion Reviews Podcasts Leg/Advocacy
Opinion
What recovery from meth taught me about harm reduction
I’ve discovered that New York City has a vibrant community of drug users and professionals—and drug-using professionals—engaged in the clinical and practical application of harm reduction tools to stay safe and use with reduced risk. Abstinence-based providers would drop me if I had a “slip,” but I was fortunate to have help from a group of psychologists who have published extensively about their development of harm reduction approaches to psychotherapy.
Filter Mag - Aug. 11, 2021
An innovative approach to helping Philly kids process trauma
In Philadelphia, only 22% of children with a significant mental health condition receive treatment. That is where telehealth may offer an important new tool and an innovative approach in Philadelphia. A collaboration of Girard College, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Independence Blue Cross Foundation may offer a model for how to deploy telehealth alongside school-based services to help children navigate trauma and overcome ACEs.
The Philadelphia Inquirer - Aug. 10, 2021
Elegantly wasted: has lockdown made booze dangerously aspirational?
Drinking at home was once a guilty pleasure. Now everyone from bored homeworkers to professional influencers is swapping cocktail recipes and photos of colourful aperitifs. Is gin o’clock turning into unhappy hour?
The Guardian - Aug. 10, 2021
Is it Harm Reduction or the Process of Recovery?
As resources expand to address our nation’s growing substance use disorder (SUD) crisis, public health policymakers are rapidly adopting new approaches to meeting patients “where they are.” Although less controversial than in years past, treatment approaches to SUD that are not rooted in abstinence still face an uphill climb as legislators who lack an understanding of the “disease model” feel conflicted about voting for anything that resembles “letting people off the hook” for their use of illegal substances. The real focus should be prerecovery, which includes recovery curious, early intervention, and harm reduction.
Counselor Magazine - Aug. 6, 2021
National State/Local Studies/Research Opinion Reviews Podcasts Leg/Advocacy
Reviews
Vermont filmmaker releases movie on Green Mountain State opioid epidemic
Vermont filmmaker Adam Benay released the second installment in his three-part series on the opioid epidemic in the Green Mountain State last month. Benay's short films, titled The North End Stories, tell fictional stories of Vermonters fighting addiction and substance use disorders. Although the characters are fictional, Benay was inspired by the real stories of people he knew who struggled with these issues.
Burlington Free Press - Aug. 12, 2021
In ‘Everything I Have Is Yours,’ Eleanor Henderson’s turbulent marriage is an open book
Eleanor Henderson’s “Everything I Have Is Yours” is a relentlessly visceral memoir about caring for her chronically ill husband, Aaron. Aaron’s wounds are not just physical, they are mental and emotional. There’s childhood sexual abuse, longtime alcoholism and drug addiction.
Washington Post - Aug. 12, 2021
National State/Local Studies/Research Opinion Reviews Podcasts Leg/Advocacy
Podcasts: The Weekly Roundup
Let’s Talk Addiction and Recovery (Hazelden Betty Ford) – no episode last week
Recovery in the Middle Ages – Legalize It?
In November, voters in the state of Oregon overwhelmingly passed Measure 110 which decriminalized possession of small amounts of all drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine. So how’s that working out? And what does the Oregon experiment teach us about how to set up a working structure which treats addiction as a healthcare issue, rather than a crime?
Rehab Confidential – Dr. David Rabin, board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist
Joe and Amy chat with board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. David Rabin. Dr. Rabin is piloting innovative treatment in addiction and mental health using ketamine therapy and wearable technology that helps manage stress and anxiety. We speak with Dr. Rabin on what he believes is the root cause of addiction, how to revise outdated mental tapes and the biggest flaws in current addiction treatment.
Dopey – Dopey 316: Dopey Day 2021 (aka Chris Miss in August!)
This week on Dopey! We celebrate what would have been Chris's 37th birthday on Dopey Day with Chris and Dave's old friend Colin. We listen to some old classic Chris moments and reflect on his his greatness and his absence. Lots of good stuff in here including some voice memos from the Dopey Nation, Aurora returns and Chris is celebrated! It's Chris-Miss in August! Happy Dopey Day Everybody!
The Addicted Mind Podcast - 141: Pregnancy and Addiction with Dr. Charles Schauberger
Duane speaks with Dr. Charles Schauberger, an OB/GYN and Addiction Medicine doctor who specializes in helping women who are struggling with substance use disorder go through pregnancy. This is an issue that doesn't get talked about or thought about a lot unless someone is in this situation.
Heart of the Matter with Elizabeth Vargas - Professional Skateboarder Brandon Novak on Underestimating His Addiction and Turning Inward to Find Recovery
Former professional skateboarder, TV stuntman and recovery advocate Brandon Novak joins Elizabeth Vargas to talk about how he went from a skateboarding prodigy and reality star to homeless. He also shares where he is now: celebrating six years of recovery and spreading hope to others who are struggling.
National State/Local Studies/Research Opinion Reviews Podcasts Leg/Advocacy
Legislative Updates and Advocacy
Making the Recovery Set-Aside Permanent
Last week, U.S. Representative Spanberger introduced bipartisan bill, Support Recovery from Addiction Act [bill text], to "amend the Public Health Service Act to require States receiving a block grant for prevention and treatment of substance abuse to allocate not less than 10 percent for recovery support services, and for other purposes.” Faces and Voices of Recovery reports that over 327 organizations have endorsed the Recovery Set-Aside and is asking organizations to support the effort to enact a Recovery Set-Aside into the Substance Abuse Block Grant Program.
End the Ban on Public Assistance for Drug Convictions
For decades, there’s been a federal lifetime ban on people with drug convictions from accessing nutritional and other forms of critical public assistance. The Making Essentials Affordable and Lawful (MEAL) Act would lift the ban. Faces and Voices of Recovery is asking you to join the Drug Policy Alliance in this effort by telling your Senators to cosponsor the bill and fight for its inclusion in the budget.
Support SB 110 (Wiener) - Contingency Management Services for Stimulant Use Disorder
The COVID-19 pandemic is making the addiction crisis worse in California. In 2020, there was a 45% increase in overdose deaths statewide. And it’s not just opioids—stimulant-involved overdoses are on the rise as well.
One form of stimulant use disorder treatment that’s highly effective is called contingency management, which involves offering motivational incentives and tangible rewards for participating in a treatment regimen. For more information see this 2020 research report from the National Institutes for Health, Adaptation of contingency management for stimulant use disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite strong evidence for this behavioral therapy, it is generally not accepted by insurers as a viable treatment option. This means most patients in California who struggle with polysubstance use are not being offered the full range of effective treatments, particularly if they are addicted to meth or cocaine. But a new state bill (SB 110 - Wiener, 2021) would require inclusion of contingency management within the addiction services offered through MediCal (the state’s Medicaid program), helping more Californians with stimulant use disorders access high-quality treatment that could save their lives. The bill is scheduled to be heard next in the Assembly Appropriations Committee Thursday, August 19, 2021.
Shatterproof has organized a call to action for California residents to support SB 110:
Please send a note to your Representatives urging them to pass SB 110 in the California legislature!
Opioid Litigation Settlement Convening: Using Evidence to Lead Action - August 30, 2021
The Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Acting Director Regina LaBelle is hosting a virtual convening for the Nation’s State, local, county, and Tribal government leaders to share best practices on the use of forthcoming opioid litigation settlement funds. The event will offer principles to guide decisions about using settlement funds, provide tools for assessing community needs and concerns related to substance use disorder and overdose, and highlight best practices for collaboration between service providers and State, local, county, and Tribal governments to deliver evidence-based care and services.