DEA Hosts Second Annual Family Summit on Fentanyl
Earlier this month, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) held their second Family Summit for families in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia who have lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning. During the event, attendees were provided opportunities to share their experiences, build connections, learn about resources, and receive Narcan training. Administrator Ann Milgram and Attorney General Merrick Garland delivered opening remarks and announced new funding to combat fentanyl. In his opening remarks Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget stated, “At DEA, we recognize that we can do more by connecting with people affected by violent drug trafficking organizations that are pushing deadly drugs…into our neighborhoods, tricking youth into consuming fentanyl and fake pills, harnessing the accessibility and anonymity of social media, and breaking apart our families…”
Articles & Resources
DEA—DEA Washington Division Holds Second Annual Family Summit on Fentanyl
NIH Funded Research Finds Telehealth Supports Retention for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found high odds of retention when buprenorphine treatment was started through telehealth compared to when buprenorphine treatment was started in non-telehealth settings. Researchers examined Medicaid data from November 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020 for 91,914 individuals in Kentucky and Ohio. In Kentucky, 48% who started treatment via telehealth remained in treatment while 44% who started treatment in non-telehealth settings remained in treatment. Similarly, in Ohio, 32% who started treatment via telehealth remained in treatment while 28% who started treatment in non-telehealth settings remained in treatment. The study results reflected higher odds of retention when treatment was initiated through telehealth, however, there was no change in risk of opioid-related non-fatal overdose. The researchers note that the study findings suggest that people who have access to telehealth treatment for addiction do better than those who do not have access to telehealth treatment.
Articles & Resources
JAMA Network Open—Telemedicine Buprenorphine Initiation and Retention in Opioid Use Disorder for Medicaid Enrollees
NIH—Telehealth supports retention in treatment for opioid use disorder
What We Read Last Week
Several articles were published last week pertaining to the opioid epidemic, covering a variety of different components of the topic. Links to relevant articles are provided below.
Associated Press—Rite Aid seeks Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it deals with lawsuits and losses
Boston Globe—Inside the efforts to reduce drug overdose deaths in N.H.
KFF Health News—Feds Try to Head Off Growing Problem of Overdoses Among Expectant Mothers
National Association of Counties—Family response is key to treating opioid disorders
NPR—The latest college campus freebies? Naloxone and fentanyl test strips
The Wall Street Journal—Mexican Sinaloa Cartel’s Message to Members: Stop Making Fentanyl or Die
This Week’s Calendar
In the week ahead, there are no relevant events or hearings noticed at this time. In the event that there are any changes to the schedule for this week, we will make additional information available.
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