Substance Abuse
Insights, challenges and future directions: Highlighting the most compelling discussions that shaped EMS this year
The habits we learn to care for ourselves and others go with us off-duty into our personal lives
A proposed fentanyl vaccine might be a useful addition in the fight against opioids, but it isn’t necessary to protect first responders from occupational exposure to the drug
The year-over-year decrease in fatal drug overdoses was 24% as of July
Adams County Fire Rescue’s fire engine wrap will promote fentanyl awareness and education over six months
Sacramento County officials reported 186 deaths due to fentanyl this year compared to 404 in all of 2023
Data shows that overdose deaths are down 14% in a 12-month period compared to the last period
Pill organizers and dispensers that help prevent missed doses, overdoses and interactions
Colorado’s community naloxone distribution program faces a financial shortfall as state funding dwindles, raising concerns for overdose prevention efforts
How will Trump’s campaign promises impact EMS funding, call volume and service quality?
The video was shown in court during the trial of Daniel Penny, who placed Jordan Neely in a chokehold after he allegedly threatened to kill other subway train passengers
The Seattle Fire Department’s buprenorphine pilot program will now allow firefighter/EMTs to use the drug with patients experiencing severe opioid withdrawal
Officials worry about the future of the Naloxone Bulk Purchase Fund
Fentanyl and meth fuel rising deaths in Alaska, Nevada, Washington and Oregon, prompting harm reduction efforts and tougher prosecutions
Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue utilizes a two-person Cares Team to provide buprenorphine during overdose calls
Withdrawal symptoms tended to be far worse than those experienced by even the most severe heroin users of the past
The Los Angeles Unified School District released a statement saying “a group of students may have consumed a banned substance”
In the right patient, with a solid understanding of the pharmacology and a plan to address potential side effects, ketamine can be an incredibly useful tool for EMS
State health department officials credit naloxone availability as part of the success and say there is more work to do
How to navigate the opioid funding landscape to secure resources for opioid abatement, reimbursement and remediation expenses
A study by Ohio State University and the National Registry of EMTs highlights the importance of the public’s help and calls for more awareness
Firefighters assigned to Station 11 have responded to 599 overdoses compared to 36 structure fires through August of this year
Meth is showing up more often as a factor in the deaths of people who died from heat-related causes
LAFD personnel arrived at the Men’s Central Jail and upgraded the incident to a “multi-casualty incident”
“As healthcare professionals, it is not the purview of EMS providers to judge our patients. It is our job to care for them”
The Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services will install the first of four vending machines in Brunswick
NaphCare disputed the investigation findings but agreed to pay the larger part of a $650,000 settlement
Boxes and other receptacles are appearing in several states as a way to reduce opioid deaths
EMS Assistant Chief James U. Matz said firefighters respond to up to 6,000 opioid overdoses a year
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