General Opioid Epidemic Resources
This section contains resources and general information about opioids and the opioid epidemic.
Overdoses continue to claim more and more lives
From 1999 to 2022, nearly 727,000 people died from an opioid overdose. In more recent years, that number has reached 100,000 deaths annually, with many more experiencing nonfatal overdoses. The rise in opioid overdose deaths can be attributed to three distinct “waves:”
First Wave
The first wave describes the rise of prescription opioid overdose deaths beginning in the 1990s as a result of increased prescribing of opioids.
Second Wave
The second wave began in 2010, with rapid increases in overdose deaths involving heroin.
Third Wave
The third wave began in 2013, with significant increases in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, particularly those involving illegally made fentanyl.
While there is evidence that the fatality curve is at an inflection point with fewer deaths in 2023-2024 we are still seeing greater than 80,000 deaths per year and current efforts to reduce mortality need to continue.
Providers can make a difference
Providers can help curb this trajectory by:
- Making important decisions around safe and appropriate prescribing of opioids
- Considering alternatives to opioid for pain management
- Providing education to patients, communities, and policymakers regarding the risks of opioids
- Helping those with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) to find treatment
- Prescribing Medications for OUD
- Providing naloxone to at-risk patients/educate about harm reduction
Additional information and resources on this topic can be found below.
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CDC: Overdose Prevention
The CDC has national information related to the opioid epidemic and a wealth of resources for providers.
General Opioid Epidemic Resources
M-OPEN: Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network
M-OPEN uses a comprehensive strategy to improve opioid prescribing practices in acute settings.
General Opioid Epidemic Resources
University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center
Go to the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center website for Drug Overdose and Substance Use resources including the System for Opioid Overdose Surveillance (SOS), and a free open online opioid course for non-prescribers.
General Opioid Epidemic Resources
PCSS: Providers Clinical Support System
PCSS provides educational and training materials for providers who want to prescribe MOUD.
General Opioid Epidemic Resources
ATTC: Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network
Funded by SAMHSA; this extensive resource contains educational packages for opioid use disorders for all job classes in medicine.
General Opioid Epidemic Resources
American Hospital Association: Stem the Tide: Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
Stem the Tide: Addressing the Opioid Epidemic is a comprehensive resource from the AHA with information on non-opioid pain management, stigma, treatment, and more.
General Opioid Epidemic Resources
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO): Opioid Overdose Epidemic Toolkit for Local Health Departments
This online toolkit contains resources on monitoring and surveillance, prevention, linkage to care, and more to support local health department opioid overdose prevention and response efforts.
General Opioid Epidemic Resources
CMS: Opioid Resources
CMS provides resources on the opioid crisis, addressing the epidemic in minority communities, and Medicare Part D and opioid prescribing.
General Opioid Epidemic Resources
MSMS: Michigan State Medical Society
The Michigan State Medical Society has compiled opioid-related guidelines, online learning, prescriber resources, patient information, information on medication disposal, overdose prevention, MAPS, and treatment resources.
General Opioid Epidemic Resources
MDHHS: Opioid Resources
MDHHS provides information on the opioid crisis in Michigan and the State of Michigan’s efforts to combat the epidemic in Michigan. The Michigan Overdose Data to Action Dashboard gives detailed, up to date, information on how the State is responding to the epidemic locally. more information for prescribers, pharmacists, and partners
General Opioid Epidemic Resources