Pubdate: Tue, 28 Apr 2015
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Copyright: 2015 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340
Website: http://bostonglobe.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52
Authors: Sylvia M. Burwell, Charlie Baker and Marylou Sudders
Note: Sylvia M. Burwell is US secretary of health and human services. 
Charlie Baker is the governor of Massachusetts. Marylou Sudders is 
the state secretary of health and human services.

A UNITED FRONT IN THE OPIOID BATTLE

LAST MONTH, one North Shore community was rattled by the news of six 
heroin overdoses, three of those resulting in death, in just 48 
hours. Sadly, this is just more evidence indicating that we are in 
the midst of an opioid epidemic.

The numbers are staggering. Figures that will be released Tuesday 
estimate there were 1,008 deaths from opioid overdoses in the Bay 
State in 2014, a 33 percent jump from 2012. Opioids kill more people 
in Massachusetts than car accidents and guns combined.

West Virginia has the highest drug overdose rate in the United 
States, more than double the national rate. In that state, 
prescription drugs and opioids are major drivers of the drug overdose deaths.

Still, this epidemic isn't limited to any one state or socioeconomic 
background. Its tragic impact touches Americans from both rural and 
urban communities and families from every walk of life. Nationally, 
drug overdoses have become the leading cause of injury death in the 
United States. In 2012 alone, 259 million opioid prescriptions were 
written - enough for every American adult to have a bottle.

The prescription opioid and heroin epidemic requires coordinated and 
comprehensive action from federal, state, and local leaders. It 
requires multi-faceted efforts in the area of prevention, 
intervention, treatment, and recovery - and a dedicated focus on 
public awareness and education.

Fortunately, this is an area where we have significant common ground 
- - and there is strong bipartisan work being done in Massachusetts and 
across the country to stop the tide and to save lives.

That's why we are coming together Tuesday to discuss specific, 
targeted, and tangible recommendations to curb overdose deaths and 
reduce the rate of addiction in the Commonwealth and nationwide.

Fighting back against the opioid crisis helps our families, our 
businesses, our economy, and our communities.

The efforts of Massachusetts clearly align with the federal 
government's strategy to focus on areas where there will be a 
significant impact: informing opioid prescribing practices, 
increasing the use of naloxone, and using medication-assisted treatment.

Altering the trend of prescription opioid abuse must begin by 
ensuring these powerful medications are prescribed appropriately. 
Nationally, we are focusing on ensuring that medical professionals 
have the training and tools they need to make informed prescribing 
decisions. The Baker Administration has also called on insurers and 
the medical community to develop a set of best practices for opioid management.

In addition, we believe in the power of electronic prescription 
tracking programs, which allow pharmacists and providers to share 
information and can help identify those at risk for dependence, 
addiction, and overdose. At the federal level, investments are 
increasing for programs like Massachusetts' prescription drug 
monitoring program - a strong example of the potential of federal and 
state collaboration in this area that is making great progress 
changing prescribing methods.

We also know that naloxone, a life-saving overdose reversal 
treatment, is a critical tool in preventing opioid related deaths. 
That's why we are providing federal support to states to help get 
naloxone into the hands of more first responders so they can 
administer this treatment. Massachusetts passed a law permitting all 
first responders to carry and administer naloxone, an important step 
that has already saved hundreds of lives. Expanding the use of 
medication-assisted treatment, to help more people access the 
services and treatment they need to move out of addiction and into 
recovery, is another way we can make a real impact. Not only is this 
a priority at the federal level, but Massachusetts has shown real 
progress in this area - integrating Suboxone treatment for addiction 
and funding 16 qualified community health centers to provide it. 
Building upon these efforts, the Baker administration convened a 
working group to identify additional strategies going forward. Their 
recommendations are due later this spring.

Fighting back against the opioid crisis helps our families, our 
businesses, our economy, and our communities. With the help of 
extensive research, evidence-based treatment, and smart partnerships, 
we can reverse these trends and save lives. We all have a stake in 
this fight, and we are committed to finding common ground to end the 
opioid crisis.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom