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Portugal's answer to the heroin crisis

Aubrey Whelan

April 22, 2020 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Portugal, Lisbon

When faced with an opioid crisis, the government in Portugual made a drastic decision to decriminalize drug use. This shift in policy allowed for a shift in perspective – addiction problems could now be treated as a public health issue, rather than a criminal issue. This approach resulted in a significant decrease in overdoses, and is now a model that U.S. cities, such as Philadelphia, are looking at to learn from.

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Revive: A fatal overdose, a stunning coincidence, and a mother's long quest to heal.

Max Blau

March 26, 2020 |

The Atavist Magazine |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Miami, Florida

A mother's grief and a doctor's determination led to the first syringe-exchange center in Florida – a significant first step in increasing conversation around the merits of harm reduction policies. Since opening, the center has "collected 360,000 dirty syringes, provided medical treatment to 1,200 people, and helped 200 patients detox," while also reversing 1,450 overdoses, which has prompted five other counties to lift their syringe-exchange bans.

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Teaching Children How to Reverse an Overdose

Dan Levin

February 23, 2020 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Elizabethton, Tennessee

In Carter County, Tennessee, where an opioid crisis is underway, elementary-aged children and teenagers are being taught how to administer the overdose reversal nasal spray, Narcan. Although this strategy has faced opposition from some local residents, at least 100 students have administered the life-saving treatment.

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Welcome to Ellenville: How a Rural New York Village Became a Model for Opioid Administration

Barbara Mantel

February 06, 2020 |

Rural Health Quarterly |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Ellenville, New York

Rather than prescribing opioids for pain treatment, an Ellenville Regional Hospital program treats emergency room patients with chronic pain using non-opioid treatments and offers referrals to local behavioral health services to address the issue of opioid addiction and overdoses.

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Weaponizing Truth Against Opioids

Tina Rosenberg

January 28, 2020 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Ad campaigns that provide personal testimonials, relatable narratives, and captivating images succeed in stemming epidemics of addiction among teenagers. The Truth Initiative’s anti-smoking campaign has helped to dramatically reduce teenage smoking during recent decades by creating ads that targeted teens with compelling messages. Now, the Truth Initiative is including anti-opioid messaging in its campaign.

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Reaching Pregnant People with Addictions

Mary Hall Jessica Martinaitis

January 27, 2020 |

Yes! Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Madison, Wisconsin

Building trust with a recovery coach can reduce the shame and stigma surrounding addiction during pregnancy. In Madison, Wisconsin, the Pregnancy2Recovery program pairs expecting mothers who are struggling with addiction with coaches. The coaches, who are also recovering addicts, build rapport with their mentees, helping them navigate aspects of both recovery and pregnancy.

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Biometric opioid dispensing machine first of its kind to address demand for safer drug supply

Andrea Woo

January 17, 2020 |

The Globe and Mail |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia

In the face of an overdosing crisis, a physician in Vancouver created an ATM-like machine that allows people to pick up pharmaceutical-grade opioids to reduce the chances of people using contaminated drugs. Although this methodology is not a means of addiction treatment, it does eliminate an autonomy barrier for safe injections, requires an initial assessment by a physician, and limits the amount of pills one can request per day which means fewer overdoses.

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‘Like A Flu Shot' For Addiction Crisis: Training High School Students As Recovery Coaches

Kara Leigh Lofton

January 13, 2020 |

West Virginia Public Broadcasting |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Clay, West Virginia

A town in West Virginia was lacking resources for mental health care, so high school juniors were tapped to fill the need. Learning skills such as how to use naloxone to in an overdose situation to asking open-ended questions to intervene in a crisis, the students walked away from a “life & recovery coach academy” equipped with usable skills, college credits, and a certificate, while also reentering their community as more engaged citizens.

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In Appalachia, Crafting a Road to Recovery With Dulcimer Strings

Patricia Leigh Brown

January 03, 2020 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Hindman, Kentucky

To help those struggling with opioid addictions, an apprentice program in Kentucky uses art and music taught by local artisans to provide participants with a path forward. After learning various skills as part of the program, a local instrument company also considers the new apprentices for hire as part of a “recovery-friendly” employment movement.

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Marketing Psychiatric Drugs to Jailers and Judges

Max Blau

December 31, 2019 |

The Atlantic |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

Drug companies that market long-lasting psychiatric drugs have found new clientele in courtrooms and prisons, as a means to treat mental health issues for those that have been incarcerated. Although the practice of targeting judges and prison officials is controversial, several jails have attested that having free samples of the drugs has led to positive outcomes such as reducing barriers for inmates to receive medication and decreasing the likelihood of reoffending.

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