The purpose of this study is to closely analyze opioid overdose response efforts on county, state, and federal levels in designated Appalachian regions in order to better understand program methodology standards that ensure success in combating the opioid epidemic. The study exists to answer the question: What approaches have worked best in combating the opioid epidemic and should be implemented in any future potential solutions? The research data scope involved comparison of existing data from county reports, government agencies, and response efforts to best identify program decline rates of opioid usage by the following indicators; declines in opioid overdose deaths, drug distribution per capita, deaths attributing to synthetic opioid overdose, and decline in neonatal abstinence syndrome births. All sources used are publicly available and depict de-identifiable population health information. When compiling research, important background information including how to define the opioid epidemic, root cause identification, and existing response effort methodologies were addressed. While hard to define, the opioid epidemic refers to a public health crisis by which Appalachian individuals unproportionally die at the hands of opioid overdose in comparison to the rest of the country; which is evident and alarming. This opioid crisis has many social and economic causes relating to the demographic majority of Appalachian regions, as well as occurrences that jumpstart a quick decline. The existing response effort methodologies of county, state, and federal programs are expensive and challenging to implement with only some success. There are also many facets to addressing the opioid epidemic including government initiatives, federal or state agencies, non-profit agencies, educational facilities, public health initiatives, and faith-based organizations. While the complexity of response efforts can be beneficial to have many options for addressing the issue, it can also quickly muddle the most effective methods to success. However, the most notable programs that saw a quick decline in overdose death rates included those that coordinated multiple types of entities such as schools, health departments, and correctional departments. Other successful programs reinstituted training and education both with regional providers on appropriate opioid prescriptions; and to the community on proper use, handling, and disposal of opioids. The most effective methods to reduce the health disparities relating to the opioid epidemic in Appalachian regions are extensive collaboration and re-education across the communities most deeply affected by the crisis. Any future response efforts should address these key success indicators.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:asrf-2130 |
| Date | 25 April 2023 |
| Creators | Frye, Holly |
| Publisher | Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University |
| Source Sets | East Tennessee State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | Appalachian Student Research Forum |
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