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Monday, June 15, 2009

Drug ODs Become National Epidemic

By Jeanne Block And Julie Roberts
Drug Policy Alliance N.M.
          Today in New Mexico one person will likely die from a drug overdose. In the nation as a whole, more than 54 people will die from that same cause. Drug overdose is now second only to traffic fatalities as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. The key word here is "accidental," which means these deaths are preventable.
        The overdose epidemic that New Mexico has long battled is fast becoming a national epidemic. For years, New Mexico has had some of the highest overdose death rates from heroin in the United States. While overdose deaths from heroin remain a cause of concern, the emerging problem in New Mexico and across the country is the misuse of prescription drugs.
        A recent report from the New Mexico Department of Health reported a 250 percent increase in overdose deaths since 2003 caused by a combination of illicit drugs and prescription pain medication.
        The 2007 New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey showed that prescription pain pills are the drug of choice for many teens. And recent national research indicates that most young people get prescription pain pills at home — either from a friend or relative.
        This history of high rates of unintentional drug overdose death in New Mexico has prompted numerous strategies, programs and policies to help save lives in our state.
        Many of these strategies are outlined in a new report by the Drug Policy Alliance. The report, "Preventing Overdose, Saving Lives," assesses the overdose crisis and presents policy solutions that can save lives. The report's release coincides with federal legislation being introduced by Rep. Donna F. Edwards, D-Md., to support efforts by cities and states to prevent overdose deaths.
        New Mexico could greatly benefit from the passage of federal legislation that would provide much needed funding to increase and expand access to the vital overdose prevention services already being provided in the state.
        In 1998, New Mexico passed the Harm Reduction Act which created the first statewide syringe exchange program in the nation. Administered by the New Mexico Department of Health, the original goal of the syringe exchange program was to prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis among injection drug users. Research has since shown that syringe exchange sites are often the entry for clients into treatment and other needed health services.
        In 2001, New Mexico law authorized the distribution of the life-saving medication naloxone to individuals who could be at risk for opioid-related overdose. In most cases, naloxone can quickly reverse the effects of an overdose — giving friends and family the precious time to get their loved one to a hospital for medical care. Although naloxone has most commonly been used to reverse heroin overdoses, it is equally effective on other opioid drugs, including prescription pain pills.
        In 2007, New Mexico passed the 911 Good Samaritan Act, the first law of its kind in the nation, that protects witnesses from drug possession charges when they call 911 to save the life of an overdose victim. Most fatal overdoses occur in the presence of friends and family but individuals are afraid to call 911 because of the fear of arrest for drug law violations.
        Calling 911 should be an automatic response for anyone witnessing a drug-related overdose — and never delayed by hesitation arising from fear of the criminal justice system.
        New Mexico has long been a leader in harm reduction strategies, including those designed to prevent the loss of life from accidental drug overdose. The federal legislation being introduced in Congress would assist other states to implement these common-sense life-saving measures and allow New Mexico to increase and expand its existing programs to truly tackle the overdose epidemic.
        Jeanne Block is youth project coordinator and Jule Roberts is policy coordinator for the Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico.