829: Overdose Prevention in the Justice System, Fentanyl Crisis Federal Action

SUMMER JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Friday, January 24, 2025. I'm Summer Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

JOANNE MCCLURE: 

So, this is looking at states that are adopting policies to support linking those who use drugs with treatment throughout the various points of the criminal justice system.

JOHNSON: 

A new ASTHO Health Policy Update centers around the need for more overdose prevention supports for those in the criminal justice system. ASTHO's Joanne McClure says some states are taking action during a person's journey through the system.

MCCLURE: 

So, some of the policies that states are considering, as well as enacting, are around the use of pretrial services, and that would be to broaden the scope of who can establish a deflection program within the state to include both local government agencies, law enforcement, as well as first responders.

JOHNSON: 

Other states have passed laws that allow for quicker access to treatment.

MCCLURE: 

Some states have passed legislation that would prohibit private insurers from requiring prior authorization for FDA-approved addiction medications, so, that can lead to more immediate access to treatment upon release.

JOHNSON: 

McClure says the fact that legislation is moving forward at all signals a shift.

MCCLURE: 

I think it highlights some of the changing perspectives around substance use, which is that people may be self-medicating or potentially fall into that addiction is a disease, and so that disease needs to be treated.

JOHNSON: 

McClure's full Health Policy Update is online now. Click the link in the show notes to read it.

Continuing this morning is a look at some of ASTHO's most popular resources from 2024. ASTHO's Catherine Jones penned an article about the fentanyl crisis.

CATHERINE JONES: 

So many Americans have been affected by the devastating consequences of fentanyl. 32% of Americans, or roughly 87 million, know someone who has died of a drug overdose related to fentanyl.

JOHNSON: 

There has been some progress on the issue.

JONES: 

The death rate from overdose is trending downward. According to the CDC, the U.S. saw a 14.5% decrease in overdose deaths from June 2023 through June 2024.

JOHNSON: 

Jones believes several things are at play to explain the decrease.

JONES: 

Access to life-saving measures, including naloxone, drug test strips, and effective treatment and recovery services are having a positive impact. Federal agencies, the White House, and Congress are continuing to work in a bipartisan way to address this crisis.

JOHNSON: 

Jones adds that we need continued funding initiatives for treatment and education in the future. You can read the full article by clicking the link in the show notes.

Also today, you can be part of an ASTHO Learning Community. O'Keyla Cooper has more.

O'KEYLA COOPER: 

ASTHO is accepting applications for the Implementing Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception Learning Community. This program offers support to health agencies in building workforce reimbursement and awareness strategies for PPC programs. Apply by March 5 to join this cross-sector effort to improve contraceptive access. The link can be found in the show notes.

JOHNSON: 

Finally, this morning, an ASTHO blog article examines equity, diversity, and inclusion in public health and how it can impact societal health. Learn about action steps for your team. There's a link in the show notes.

That'll do it for today. We're back Monday morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Summer Johnson, you're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great weekend.