Fighting opioid addiction – one life at a time

EMS

Key Takeaways

From Our Partners

This post is sponsored by our partners at Netsmart.

The opioid crisis is one of the most serious issues facing our nation. Drug overdose deaths increased by 55% from 2019 to 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 75% of these fatalities resulting from opioid use.

Overdose is now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, their 2021 data shows that 66.8% of fatal overdoses had at least one potential opportunity for intervention. This statistic provides hope for those in addiction treatment: a single intervention can save a life.

How can provider organizations coordinate effective interventions? We believe three strategies are key in combating the opioid crisis:

  • Integrated Care
  • Policy
  • Technology

Read on to learn the importance of these strategies and how your organization can leverage them.

Integrated Care

Integrated care is now the gold standard in behavioral health. Annually, more clinics receive grants to become Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), expanding coordination of mental health with addiction treatment and primary care. This philosophy posits that treating conditions like opioid use is more effective when the patient’s full history is known. Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) often have elevated physical health conditions due to factors like delayed healthcare and Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). According to a McKinsey report, integrated care could reduce the total healthcare spend in the U.S. by $185 billion.

Integrated care is not new, but we are now seeing alignment of funding mechanisms, regulatory enhancements, and technology to support treating the whole person. The current environment provides tools to combat the opioid crisis by coordinating co-morbidities and addressing social, environmental, and digital well-being of individuals with OUD.

Policy

Since 2016, the federal government has been enhancing policy and funding to combat the opioid crisis. The Congressional Budget Office outlines a three-fold strategy:

  • Reduce demand for opioids by preventing and treating OUD
  • Reduce supply by limiting inappropriate and nonmedical use of prescription opioids and the supply of illegally produced opioids
  • Reduce harm from OUD by supporting the health of people with OUD until they seek treatment

The expansion of CCBHC and various opioid legislations is increasing access to and use of treatment for individuals with OUD. As funding continues and regulations are enhanced, now is the time to invest in technology to address integrated care for sustained recovery and workforce efficiency.

Technology

“In what should I invest, and how?” As a treatment community, we have an opportunity to rapidly expand whole-person care. Investing in tools that complement your Electronic Health Record (EHR) is essential. Consider expanding interoperability tools beyond Continuity of Care Document (CCD) sharing, such as:

  • Care management solutions for risk stratification at the population and individual levels
  • Predictive analytics beyond standard KPIs
  • Broadening patient engagement to include digital therapeutics
  • Workflows and apps for remote support

The right intervention at the right time saves lives, and predictive care sustains recovery.

To learn more about leveraging technology, check out these resources:

Using the strategies and resources outlined in this blog, your organization can harness technology to tackle the opioid crisis, one life at a time.

Stories from our partners

NACo partners with the private sector on solutions.

Together, we are highlighting innovative solutions for counties, as we work with our federal, state, local and private sector partners to build healthy, safe and vibrant communities.

View all stories

Prevent
News

Empowering Communities: How County Leaders are Tackling the Opioid Crisis Head-On

Forward-thinking county leaders are implementing year-round strategies to prevent overdoses, educate communities about the importance of proper drug disposal and connect residents with local resources for support.

Tech
News

County collaboration is key to overcoming the cybersecurity talent shortage

In the United States, citizens depend on county governments to deliver many of the nation’s most critical services. These organizations play a crucial role in ensuring overall community well-being by managing essential services such as law enforcement, public health, infrastructure maintenance, and emergency response.

AGA
News

DTE Energy bringing natural gas, opportunity to Tri-County Region in Northern Michigan

Residents of Benzie, Manistee and Wexford counties in Michigan can breathe a sigh of relief this winter as natural gas becomes available in the region for the first time leading to significant savings, increased comfort and improved reliability.

Windmill
News

Building Resilience Against Climate Change – Insights from Tidal Basin

Carlos J. Castillo, President of Federal Services at Tidal Basin, emphasized the critical role of emergency management in local climate resilience at the 2024 NACo Legislative Conference and Annual Conference.

Telecommunications
News

Investing Over $100 Billion in American Infrastructure

AT&T has invested over $140 billion in the past five years to enhance American connectivity, focusing on expanding its role as the nation's largest fiber internet provider and improving its reliable 5G network, which now serves nearly 290 million people.

Computer servers
News

Building Networks for the Next Century, Not the Last One

AT&T emphasizes its nearly 150-year history of innovation and connectivity as it transitions from traditional copper landlines to modern fiber and wireless technologies, highlighting the importance of adapting to current consumer demands and technological advancements.

Home construction
News

Travis County Develops 2,000 Units of Housing to Address Homelessness

This post is sponsored by our partners at Guidehouse. Through Guidehouse's comprehensive support, Travis County is on track to successfully create over 2,000 units of affordable, supportive housing by 2027.

Picnic
News

Feeding kids during the summer requires county officials

The introduction of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program marks a pivotal shift in addressing childhood hunger, especially during the summer when school meals are unavailable. This nationwide initiative, offering substantial grocery benefits, promises transformative support for over 29 million children, with a significant impact on communities facing systemic inequalities.

Programmers
News

Why customer-centric strategy is vital for digital service adoption

The importance of a customer-centric strategy in digital service adoption for county governments is emphasized, highlighting the need for thoughtful design, clear communication, and multi-channel engagement to meet user expectations and improve customer experience.

EMS
News

Fighting opioid addiction – one life at a time

The opioid crisis, a major national issue, saw a 55% increase in drug overdose deaths from 2019 to 2022, with 75% involving opioids. Effective strategies to combat this include integrated care, policy enhancement, and technology, focusing on whole-person care and intervention opportunities to save lives.

Building facade
News

Planning for the post-American Rescue Plan Act future

Guidehouse outlines strategies for state and local governments to sustain programs after the end of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) funding. It emphasizes the need for reassessing constituent needs, measuring program impact, and considering fiscal implications to ensure long-term viability and effective resource allocation for programs initially funded by SLFRF.

Group with hands in
News

How voluntary benefits can help improve your employee benefit package

Voluntary benefits, tailored to diverse employee needs and often at reduced costs, are proving essential in enhancing employer benefit packages, attracting, and retaining talent, and addressing specific wellbeing issues across different age and income groups.

Deterra
News

A countywide opioid misuse prevention campaign is easier to implement than you think

The Deterra Household Mailing Campaign delivers educational tools and deactivation pouches directly to homes. To save lives by tackling the opioid crisis.

Fire danger sign
News

From prevention to resilience: Strategies in wildfire mitigation

Explore a multifaceted approach to wildfire mitigation with Tidal Basin. From creating defensible spaces to early detection systems, discover strategies fostering resilient communities, protecting lives & property. Urgent action is crucial amidst rising wildfire risks. Learn more at TidalBasinGroup.com. 

Related News

Prevent
News

Empowering Communities: How County Leaders are Tackling the Opioid Crisis Head-On

Forward-thinking county leaders are implementing year-round strategies to prevent overdoses, educate communities about the importance of proper drug disposal and connect residents with local resources for support.

Tech
News

County collaboration is key to overcoming the cybersecurity talent shortage

In the United States, citizens depend on county governments to deliver many of the nation’s most critical services. These organizations play a crucial role in ensuring overall community well-being by managing essential services such as law enforcement, public health, infrastructure maintenance, and emergency response.

AGA
News

DTE Energy bringing natural gas, opportunity to Tri-County Region in Northern Michigan

Residents of Benzie, Manistee and Wexford counties in Michigan can breathe a sigh of relief this winter as natural gas becomes available in the region for the first time leading to significant savings, increased comfort and improved reliability.