In the News: June 2022
MDH Launches New Way to Locate Naloxone (Narcan)
The Minnesota Department of Health launched a new Naloxone Finder Map in December, which allows people to easily access drug overdose prevention medication. Searchers type in their zip codes and filter by distance, and the map displays pharmacies, naloxone access points, and syringe service programs with contact information and physical addresses.
“We want everyone to remember that, if needed, they can be the one to provide rescue steps before 911 in an overdose emergency,” Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said in a statement.
More than 4,600 people visited the map in its first three months.
knowthedangers.com/ naloxone-finder
Can a Monthly Injection Be the Key to Curbing Addiction?
Experts in a story reported by California Healthline promote administering a shot of buprenorphine in the belly to provide a month of addiction treatment. The shots offer longer-acting protection for those who risk overdosing and are easier to administer than prescribed oral medication that must be taken daily. “All the hoops that clinicians and patients have to jump through to get this medication are crazy,” Dr. Hannah Snyder of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital said. “We don’t do that for any other disease.” The wait time for approval to use the injection can create a barrier to care for patients experiencing homelessness who may have limited time in front of a provider.
Source: California Healthline
More States Fund Mental Health Crisis Response Programs
The Houston City Council pledged $21 million in April to enhance the city’s response to people in mental health crisis, and $12 million will go to a new service that fields certain 911 calls to mental health professionals instead of police.
An earlier program sent police and mental health professionals together on certain calls, but the new program would direct funds to more teams of mental health professionals who conduct themselves without law enforcement. Additional funds will go to a program that gives police officers iPads and HIPAA-certified software that allow for on-site telehealth appointments for those in crisis.
The City of Minneapolis has two 24-hour Behavioral Crisis Response teams that are dispatched to mental health crises. Depending on the situation, they may be accompanied by police.
Source: Chron.
