Many people develop an opioid addiction due to an overprescription of painkillers.
In Florida, opioids continue to impact the community, with opioid-related deaths rising 10% since 2019.
On February 4th, 2021, the Univerisity of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville received a $1.46 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to implement alternatives to opioids program.
Read on to learn more about the program, what it can mean for the future, and how to get help for opioid abuse in Florida.
University of Florida Receives Emergency Grant for Opioids Program
The UF College of Medicine has a vision of providing patients access and options differing from addictive opioids for pain management. The treatment options may include a blend of traditional and integrative techniques.
The program will be named The Pain Assessment and Management Initiative’s Emergency Department Alternatives to Opioids Program, also called PAMI ED-ALT. The program’s goal is to advance innovation and safety in pain education, including patient research and care.
A press release from UF states:
“The PAMI ED-ALT team has a great opportunity to change how pain management is conducted in the emergency care setting by creating an easy access order panel menu within the electronic health record combining pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic options in one place,” Sheikh said. “We are encouraged by the many physicians, nurses and pharmacists who have already expressed support and interest in this new approach to treating painful conditions. It is going to be a collective and multidisciplinary effort to move in this new direction.”
The press release also states which treatment options and they will explore:
“The targeted pain conditions include musculoskeletal and back pain, renal colic and headaches. From aromatherapy inhalers for home use to virtual reality and non-opioid analgesics such as lidocaine patches and menthol gel, along with procedures like trigger point injections, the team wants to augment current pain management practices. New order panels will improve providers’ access to a menu of pain management options that can be tailored based on patient medical history, acuity and preferences. This new program will also assist in developing a pain coaching and education model service and patient discharge toolkits to promote the use of alternatives to opioids.”
Many conditions and treatments use prescription opioids, such as OxyContin, with its manufacturer Purdue Pharma in multiple lawsuits involving deception and malpractice.
As a result, multiple states involved in lawsuits with these pharmaceutical companies may receive compensation, such as Florida recently in the McKinsey lawsuit. From there, the funds go towards helping fight opioid addiction in Florida for a better future.
Overall, implementing safer yet more effective options for pain management may help to reduce opioid addiction.
Get Help for Opioid Abuse in South Florida
Have you or a loved one suffered from opioid abuse? On Call Treatment FL is willing to work with you to ensure you get the treatment you deserve at your convenience.
Contact On Call Treatment FL, a South Florida drug rehab—available 24 Hours, 7 days a week. Call us NOW 1-(855)-492-1515.