Explanation

"Chronic pain was probably best treated not by one pill but holistically. In the same way, the antidote to heroin wasn't so much naloxone; it was community..."Nobody can do it on their own," [Paul Schoonover, of Columbus, Ohio, whose son Matt overdosed in 2012] said. "But no drug dealer, nor cartel, can stand against families, schools, churches, and communities united together." Dreamland by Sam Quinones, p.330 Given the widespread nature of this crisis and the millions of lives which are affected by this, it is incumbent upon The Episcopal Church to respond. Our baptismal covenant calls us to respect the dignity of every human being and to renounce the realities of sin and evil in the world. The Five Marks of Mission call us to respond to human need and suffering through loving service. This resolution invites the people and institutions of The Episcopal Church live into those callings by offering concrete ways to address this public health crisis. Key points from a report issued by the Center for Disease Control on March 9, 2018: “Vital Signs: Trends in Emergency Department Visits for Suspected Opioid Overdoses -- United States, July 2016 - September 2017” https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6709e1.htm • During July 2016–September 2017, emergency department (ED) visits among those aged ≥11 years for opioid overdoses in the United States increased 29.7% overall and 34.5% in 16 states with high prevalence of overdose mortality. Significant rate increases were found in five Midwest region states (largest in Wisconsin [109%]) and in three Northeast region states (largest in Delaware [105%]); nonsignificant decreases (<10%) were found in three Northeast states. In the Southeast, rates increased in North Carolina (31%) and decreased in Kentucky (15.0%). • Every demographic group reported substantial rate increases, including males (30%) and females (24%) and persons in all age groups (25–34 [31%]; 35–54 [36%], and ≥55 [32%] years). • The highest opioid overdose rate increases occurred in large central metropolitan areas (a population of ≥1 million and covering a principal city). • ED syndromic data can serve as an early warning system to alert communities of changes in opioid overdoses because of the rapid availability of this data (i.e., can be viewed within 24–48 hours of an ED visit). • Treatment in EDs for drug overdose provides opportunities for intervention and prevention, which require coordination among all involved health care providers, allied health professionals, and agencies. • Additional information is available at https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/. Guidelines from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to help broaden healthcare professionals’ understanding of medications that can be used to treat Americans with opioid use disorder (OUD). “We know that people can and do recover from opioid use disorders when they receive appropriate treatment, and medication-assisted treatment’s success in treating opioid use disorders is well documented,” said Dr. Elinore F. McCance-Katz, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. “TIP 63 emphasizes that increasing access to medications to treat opioid use disorder will help more people recover, enabling them to improve their health, living full and productive lives.” The Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) 63, “Medications for Opioid Use Disorder,” reviews the use of the three Food and Drug Administration-approved medications to treat opioid use disorders: methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine. Mandated by Section 303 of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (P.L. 114-198), this TIP provides guidance for healthcare professionals and addiction treatment providers on appropriate prescribing practices for these medications and effective strategies for supporting the patients utilizing medication for the treatment of OUD. TIP 63 also educates patients, families, and the general public about how OUD medications work and the benefits they offer. As part of SAMHSA’s response to the opioid crisis, TIP 63 is a resource for health professionals throughout the country to employ in addressing crucial facets of the epidemic. Expanding access to OUD medications is an important public health strategy. The gap between the number of people who need opioid addiction treatment and the capacity to treat them with OUD medication is substantial. Improving access to treatment with OUD medications is crucial to closing the wide gap between treatment need and treatment availability – especially considering the strong evidence of effectiveness for such treatments. Data indicate that medications for OUD are both cost-effective and cost-beneficial. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.