Smart and Safe Alabama

Four of the top 10 Alabama towns for opioid rate are in Walker County, which had the highest rate for any entire county in Alabama from 2006 to 2012.
https://www.al.com/news/2019/07/where-the-opioid-epidemic-hit-hardest-alabama.html

Where the opioid epidemic hit Alabama hardest New data obtained and shared by the Washington Post shows where the most opioids were bought between 2006 and 2012.

Alabama had the highest proportion of beneficiaries receiving opioids through Medicare Part D, while Hawaii had the lowest proportion, according to the OIG report.
https://alabamamedicine.org/opioid-use-decreased-in-medicare-part-d-while-mat-increased/

Opioid Use Decreased in Medicare Part D While MAT Increased - Medical Association of the State of Alabama The nation has been grappling with an opioid crisis for years. In 2017 alone, there were 47,600 opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States. It continues to be a public health emergency. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General has been tracking opioid use i...

A new study shows death rates from drug poisoning, especially opioids, have sharply increased in American adolescents and young adults in the past decade.
https://alabamamedicine.org/drug-overdoses-in-young-people-on-the-rise/

Drug Overdoses in Young People on the Rise - Medical Association of the State of Alabama PISCATAWAY, NJ – In American adolescents and young adults, death rates from drug poisoning, particularly from opioids, have sharply increased over the last 10 years, according to new research in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. In 2006, the death rate from drug poisoning from any type ...

There is little known about how effective products are, so the FDA is holding hearings to find out more.
https://whnt.com/2019/05/31/concerns-over-exaggerated-health-claims-prompt-fda-hearing-on-effects-of-cbd-products/

Concerns over exaggerated health claims prompt FDA hearing on effects of CBD products (CNN) - Cannabis-related products have flooded the market, making health claims about pain relief, immune function and anxiety and depression. But the US Food and Drug Administration says there is little known about how effective they are. On Friday, the FDA held its first hearing to assess the safe...

A new study shows use by a parent or parents doubles the risk for suicidal behavior by their children. ***de
https://alabamamedicine.org/study-risk-of-su***de-attempt-by-children-doubles-if-parent-uses-opioids/

STUDY: Risk of Su***de Attempt by Children Doubles if Parent Uses Opioids - Medical Association of the State of Alabama The su***de rate among young people in the U.S. has risen dramatically in the past 15 years. Over the same time period, opioid use and abuse in adults also has increased considerably. Researchers from the University of Chicago and the University of Pittsburgh reported on a connection between these t...

While opioids have been getting the majority of news headlines, m**hamphetamines are on the rise as well.
https://khn.org/news/m**h-vs-opioids-america-has-two-drug-epidemics-but-focuses-on-one/

M**h Vs. Opioids: America Has Two Drug Epidemics, But Focuses On One In the West and Midwest, 70% of local law enforcement says m**h is the bigger threat. It’s also a more difficult addiction to treat.

Tomorrow is National Take Back Day! Do you have meds in your home you want to dispose of? Check out the link below for details.

ARE YOU READY? Counting down, only 1-day until on Saturday! There will be nearly 6,000 collection sites where you can dispose of expired/unused/unwanted Rx drugs from 10 to 2. Find a location near you: https://takebackday.dea.gov/ -locator

Attorney General Steve Marshall, State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris and Mental Health Commissioner Lynn Beshear welcomed conference attendees with an update from the Opioid Council.

The Medical Association is proud to exhibit our Smart & Safe Alabama Campaign during the Annual Opioid Crisis in Alabama Conference in Montgomery.

Alabama now ranks third lowest in the Southeast and far below the national average for age-adjusted opioid overdose deaths in the U.S.
http://alabamamedicine.org/new-statistics-show-doctors-positively-impacting-opioid-epidemic/

“Benzos have as many problems as opioids do — they are addictive, sedating and deadly if they are not prescribed and used properly.”
http://alabamamedicine.org/its-not-just-about-opioids/

If you want to be ‘Through With Chew,' then help is available from the Alabama Quitline at 1-800-Quit-Now or www.quitnowalabama.com.
http://alabamamedicine.org/through-with-chew-week-highlights-dangers-of-smokeless-to***co-use/

New program set to train high school officials on this life-saving medication.
https://www.timesdaily.com/news/state/program-trains-high-school-officials-to-give-naloxone/article_c6905bb3-8186-5012-9acc-1f2b4d9b7075.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

A new study suggests women more quickly develop addictions after first using addictive substances and more likely than men to relapse after a quit attempt. But are they being left out of the national response to the epidemic?
http://alabamamedicine.org/study-is-the-opioid-crisis-response-overlooking-women/

Alabama now ranks the third lowest in the Southeast and far below the national average for age-adjusted opioid overdose deaths in the U.S.
http://alabamamedicine.org/new-statistics-show-doctors-positively-impacting-opioid-epidemic/

Opioid addiction is ugly, difficult and life-altering for millions of Americans every year. But, with treatment comes survival.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/27/us/opioid-addiction-reader-response.html

‘You Can Make It Out’: Readers Share Stories of Opioid Addiction and Survival Why do people use opioids? And why is it so hard for them to stop? We invited readers to share their experiences.

Beginning in January 2019, BCBS Alabama will no longer cover OxyContin but will cover new pain medications instead.
http://alabamamedicine.org/bcbs-alabama-to-no-longer-cover-oxycontin-beginning-in-2019/

There's been a big spike in kids Juuling, and here's why it's so alarming...
http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/is-your-teen-juuling-why-parents-and-doctors-are-so-worried/ar-BBNZq24?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=iehp

Is your teen 'Juuling'? Why parents and doctors are so worried The FDA is calling teen va**ng an 'epidemic' and taking steps to limit sales of flavored e-cigarettes. Here's what you need to know.

While opioids still have their place, navigating the risks and benefits are part of a complex balance yet to be found.
https://www.al.com/news/2018/11/no-more-oxycontin-blue-cross-says-shift-wont-cause-pain-for-patients-doctors.html

No more OxyContin: Blue Cross says shift won’t cause pain for patients, doctors Changes to Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage of pain relievers shouldn't stop doctors from giving patients the medicine they need, say some experts familiar with the issues of opioid abuse.

Take the first step to better health, and put those butts and vapes down. Join the Great American Smokeout tomorrow!
http://alabamamedicine.org/great-american-smokeout-is-november-15/

Call It Quits Nov. 15! Join the Great American Smokeout! - Medical Association of the State of Alabama Smokers who want to quit to***co can use their fingers to dial for free help instead of lighting up a cigarette. On Thursday, Nov. 15, the Great American Smokeout challenges smokers and va**rs to take the first step by quitting for the day or making a plan to quit for good. Callers in Alabama can .....

Curious where Alabama ranks among the states in the nation's opioid crisis? This study may reveal new info.
http://alabamamedicine.org/new-interactive-map-shows-how-alabama-measures-up-in-the-national-opioid-crisis/

Check your candy closely. It might not be candy at all!
https://mynbc15.com/news/local/police-warn-parents-about-m**h-pills-that-look-like-halloween-candy-10-30-2018

Did you know Alabama is one of the states with the highest intensity of prescribing benzodiazepines?
http://alabamamedicine.org/study-risky-sedative-prescriptions-for-older-adults-vary-widely/

Study: Risky Sedative Prescriptions for Older Adults Vary Widely - Medical Association of the State of Alabama Despite years of warnings that older adults shouldn’t take sedative drugs that put them at risk of injury and death, a new study reveals how many primary care doctors are still prescribing them, how often, and where the practice is most prevalent. Mapped out county by county, the nationwide study ...

As Hurricane Michael takes aim at Alabama, check out these tips to stay safe in the coming days.
http://alabamamedicine.org/stay-safe-during-hurricane-michael/