A-G Associates’ Post

🚨 Don't miss out! April 27th marks the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day! Let's combat the drug overdose epidemic by joining forces to safely dispose of unneeded medications. Together, we can prevent misuse and opioid addiction, making our communities safer and healthier. Check out this webpage for helpful resources on medication disposal, substance use disorder treatment, and understanding the overdose epidemic. Take action today! 💊 #DrugTakeBackDay #PreventOverdose #CommunityHealth

TO ALL MY NASHVILLE LINKEDIN CONNECTIONS: Due to my brother’s recent hospitalization from overdosing, my sister would like to host a get together to train people on how to administer Narcan if you or anyone you know looks like they could be overdosing on a substance. Some words from my sister on how to identify if someone is overdosing: If someone takes a substance and is alert one minute and completely unresponsive after, they are overdosing. If you hear breathing but they cannot move, talk, or open their eyes, they are overdosing and should immediately be administered Narcan/Naloxone and 911 should be called for emergency assistance, even if you don't think they are overdosing on an Opioid/Opiate. Administering Narcan to someone who is not overdosing will have zero affect and cannot hurt them. It can make a difference between life and death, and it can make a difference between being permanently brain damaged to the point of needing to be on life support for the rest of your life and being able to regain consciousness shortly after and have a chance at life. Everyone should keep Narcan/Naloxone at home, in your car, in your purse/backpack and it is free and can be acquired at pharmacies and online at sites like Endoverdose.net. If you are in active addiction, this is your sign to seek support right now. Would anyone be interested in attending a training on this? If so, please comment here or DM your date/time availability. Please share on your network in case someone else you know would like to learn and can benefit from this 🧡🧡

Excited to share the presentation that I created with the Medical Writing Team at BCCSU :) Check out the link to see the recording. This presentation gives an overview of opioid agonist treatment (OAT) options in BC for individuals ecperiencing opioid use disorder. The biggest takeaway I learned from working on this project was: if you are an MD or NP, you can start prescribing saboxone (an OAT option) TODAY, and start saving lives now, without taking the online POATSP course.

Today is National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day. This day was created because leftover or expired prescription or over-the-counter medications in your home can contribute to drug addiction, overdose, poisonings, and deaths. Take today and safely dispose of your expired or unneeded medications. Click here to learn about safe ways to throw out your prescriptions: https://lnkd.in/eBtpdX-9. #NationalCleanOutYourMedicineCabinetDay #pharmacylife #PrescriptionMedication #prescriptionmeds #pharmacyethics

Remember: when dispensing a prescription for a drug of addiction, you are required to: (a) make a full record of the prescription in an approved recording system and give it a prescription number; (b) stamp or write on the prescription the pharmacy name and address, the prescription recording number and the date dispensed; (c) cancel the prescription on the last dispensing; (d) enter the transaction in the drug register; and (e) retain the record specified in (a) for not less than two years. Click here for more information: https://loom.ly/PNrXmc0

#HarmReduction #saveslives! Thanks to the rollout of harm reduction measures such as safe injection sites, take-home naloxone kits, & opioid replacement therapies an estimated 3,000 deaths were prevented! Learn more from this @CBC article https://lnkd.in/d55934C

The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat. The Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day encourages the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting. Find resources that can help you dispose of unneeded medications, seek treatment for a substance use disorder, and learn more about the drug overdose epidemic in the United States at dea.gov/takebackday.

[TOMORROW] Join the BC ECHO on Substance Use CME accredited session Thursday, May 23 @ 12pm presented by Dr. Sean Fernando to learn about "Caring for People Who Use Opioids: How to Get Started" Register at https://bit.ly/3UsNY4L By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1)    Identify the opioid agonist treatment (OAT) options available in BC, 2)    Describe the benefits associated with OAT, 3)    Describe primary care practices for treating OUD, including wraparound supports and providing continuity of care, and 4)    Identify steps to becoming an OAT prescriber in BC. Catch up on previous ECHO sessions at https://bit.ly/3AVlnKu Stay up-to-date on the latest topics in substance use care by listening to the Addiction Practice Pod, the BCCSU podcast where health care providers discuss approaches and practical tips: https://bit.ly/3vO5WFf

“In addressing the latest overdose data, Kunins cited the city’s efforts to expand access to addiction treatment, including tripling its street care teams that offer treatment and mental health support to people living on San Francisco streets. One street team that focuses on people living on the street long-term helped place 160 individuals in substance use treatment between January and June, she said.” 📢 **Addressing Overdose Data and Expanding Support in WNY** 📢 As we reflect on the latest overdose data, it's crucial to highlight the innovative efforts being made to combat this crisis. In San Francisco, the city's expansion of addiction treatment and mental health support through street care teams has made a significant impact. Between January and June, one dedicated team helped place 160 individuals in substance use treatment. At Creative Restorations INC, we are committed to bringing similar transformative solutions to our WNY community. Our harm reduction outreach, which has already distributed over 3000 doses of Narcan and nearly 7,000 test strips, assisting 70 others with securing inpatient/outpatient treatment, is just the beginning. By leveraging evidence-based approaches and peer support, we're dedicated to reducing overdose numbers and fostering sustainable recovery. Join us in our mission to create a healthier, safer community. Together, we can make a difference and support those in need on their path to recovery. 💙 BOOTS ON THE GROUND SAVES LIVES! #HarmReduction #AddictionTreatment #MentalHealthSupport #WNYCommunity #CreativeRestorationsINC #EndOverdose https://lnkd.in/gnxRxk9w