There’s been a promising increase in public health policy focus in recent weeks regarding Arizona’s ongoing opioid epidemic.
A few weeks ago the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) released the 2016 Arizona Opioid Report which found that there were 790 deaths in 2016 in Arizona from opioids, a 16% increase from 2015 and a 74% increase since 2012. More than half of the increase in the last two years have been heroin deaths (heroin increased from 11% of opioid deaths in 2007 to 39% in 2016).
Shortly after the report was released, the Governor declared a Public Health State of Emergency charging the ADHS with developing: 1) an enhanced opioid surveillance protocol; 2) new emergency regulations for prescribing opioids among licensed healthcare institutions; 3) additional provider practice guidelines; 4) Naloxone use guidelines for law enforcement; and 5) a report of findings that include possible additional legislative action by September 5, 2017.
Last week the ADHS launched an opioid website at www.azhealth.gov/opioid which houses information about the opioid epidemic including information for those required to report data, and resources for law enforcement and EMS and clinicians as well as standing orders for naloxone dispensing.
These latest administrative actions are just the latest in a string of interventions in Arizona regarding the opioid epidemic. In October 2016 the Governor issued an Executive Order charging AHCCCS with limiting Initial Opioid prescriptions to 7 days. On January 9, 2017 he signed an Executive Order that establishes a substance abuse program for people leaving prison at risk for opiate abuse.
Last legislative session, the Legislature passed HB 2493, which will set up a drug overdose review team at the ADHS (much like the child fatality review team). It’ll be a 21-member consisting of nine heads of various government entities (or their designees) and 12 members that will:
- Develop a data collection system regarding drug overdoses;
- Conduct an annual analysis relating to drug overdose fatalities;
- Develop standards and protocols;
- Provide training and technical assistance to local Teams;
- Develop investigation protocols for law enforcement and the medical community;
- Study state and local laws, training and services, recommend policies to decrease drug overdose fatalities; and
- Educate the public regarding drug overdose fatalities.
In addition to all of these interventions, AHCCCS has received a State Targeted Response Grant ($24M over the course of 2 years) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association to increase access to medication assisted treatment, care coordination for high risk individuals, recovery support services and prevention activities to reduce opioid use disorders and deaths. The project will also develop and support state, regional, and local level collaborations, build capacity and infrastructure and service enhancements in high need areas.
The proposed activities within the Arizona Opioid State Targeted Response project will: 1) create a new streamlined data-driven decision-making process to target and tailor treatment and prevention resources where they are most needed in the state; 2) expand training for prevention and treatment providers; 3) expand law enforcement access to Naloxone kits; 4) expand access to MAT and integrated treatment; and 5) expand peer support services, recovery homes and recovery supports to pregnant and parenting women.
We’ll continue to track the policy interventions that are underway and update our AzPHA members on the latest surveillance and intervention activities.
