Opioid and Substance Abuse Prevention
It is no secret that in recent years communities across the nation have been faced with rising numbers of deaths associated with opioid use disorder. In 2019, 1,200 residents of Connecticut died of accidental opioid overdoses; this is an 18% increase from 2018. In 2019, Meriden had 23 residents die from overdose (Office of the Chief Medical Examiner). January to June 8, 2020 data shows that 12 Meriden residents died from accidental overdoses (Office of the Chief Medical Examiner).
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others. A person with opioid use disorder may be using illegal OR legal opioids - both types interact with a person's opioid receptors in the same way and can result in significant impairment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.
The Meriden Department of Health and Human Services and community stakeholders meet regularly through the Meriden Healthy Youth Coalition to coordinate efforts and interventions in response to the opioid epidemic. This Coalition includes community organizations, behavioral health agencies, healthcare providers, Police and Fire Departments, EMS services, the Board of Education, treatment professionals, peer support groups and elected officials. For more information on the Meriden Healthy Youth Coalition please visit www.meridenhealthyyouthcoalition.com.
MERIDEN RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION, PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, TREATMENT AND RECOVERY:
- Meriden's MORR (Meriden Opioid Referral for Recovery) Program
- REALTOR® Education Flyer Also in Spanish
- Beacon Health Options - Medication Assisted Treatment
- Community Health Center of Meriden
- Child Guidance Clinic
- Medication Drop Box @ Meriden Police Department, How to Safely Dispose of Medication at Home
- Meriden Healthy Youth Coalition
- MidState Medical Center
- Roadway of Hope, CT
- Rushford Behavioral Health
- The Connection - Family Support and Behavioral Health Services
- TriCircle - Hope and Support Groups
CONNECTICUT RESOURCES AND DATA:
- NEW December 12, 2019 - Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Toolkit for Connecticut (CT Assoc. of Directors of Health)
- Live LOUD - Live Live with Opioid Use Disorder
- NORA App - Naloxone and Overdose Response App
- A new treatment program for young people who misuse opioids is now available (ASSERT Treatment Model)
- TrendCT data sets
- Buprenorphine Treatment Practitioner Locator (SAMHSA website, search by state)
- CHANGE THE SCRIPT - A statewide public awareness campaign from CT DMHAS to help communities deal with the prescription drug and opioid misuse crisis.
- Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection - Map of Naloxone Prescribing by Pharmacists
- Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services - links to CT laws related to Narcan and lots of frequently asked questions.
- Connecticut Department of Public Health - Opioids and Prescription Drug Prevention Program
- Connecticut Open Data - Substance Abuse Data
- Connecticut Overdose Data by Town
- CT Department of Public Health Opioid Opt-Out Form
- Education and Support Groups (locations in New Haven, Hartford, Torrington, Waterbury, and New London).
- Open Beds - Addiction Services Bed Availability (CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services)
- Opioid Treatment Programs in Connecticut (SAMHSA website)
- Trends in Opioid-Related Hospitalizations (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality - AHRQ)
HELPFUL RESOURCES/EDUCATION:
- Meriden Pledge Card with information on safe home disposal
- Overdose Prevention Resources
- Center For Disease Control and Prevention RX Awareness Campaign
- Good Samaritan Laws and Naloxone Access
- About Narcan Nasal Spray
- Using Naloxone (Narcan) to Reverse an Opioid Overdose (video link)
- Signs of an overdose
- What You Need to Know About Prescription Opioids (handout)
- U.S. Overdose Data from Center for Disease Control and Prevention