PROJECT NEWS ROTA2018 Grant Activity Update

ROTA2018 Statewide Technical Assistance Training Webinar titled Prescription Opioids and Aging Adults: What In-Home Caregivers Need To Know!

Hosted February 4th & 5th from 9:00 am to 12 p.m. This 2-day webinar will include the following topics: 

  • Why Aging Adults Should be a Public Health Focus 
  • Two sessions on Keeping Aging Adults Safe 
  • Caregiver Wellness 
  • Home Safety

ROTA2020 Grant Activity Update

Due to COVID-19 restrictions grant activities have been slowed. Currently our project team has scheduled two focus groups. We will be administering youth surveys later this month. Tribal related efforts have been at a stand still due to the pandemic.

The 2018 Rural Health and Safety Education grant Activity Update

Our team has been working to create a prescription opioid educational grab-and-go toolkit comprised of educational materials/resources and recommended protocols for Extension Agents to utilize at the local level for all population groups.

Website update

We invite you to visit our newly updated project website available at http://health.msuextension.org/ opioid_misuse.html

State and National News

  • DPHHS HAN ADVISORY 2020-31: Increase in Fatal Drug Overdoses Across the United States Driven by Synthetic Opioids.  Read full report
  • Methamphetamine Response Act If passed, this bill would officially decree methamphetamines a rising drug threat and would necessitate the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to develop plans to combat meth use and prevent overdoses. Read article
  • In Pursuit of Vaccines Against Opioids Prior to COVID-19, longtime NIH grantee Dr. Thomas Kosten and collaborators were in pursuit of a vaccine for opioid addiction. This article talks about how the pandemic has brought with it increased numbers of opioid overdoses. Vaccines are needed for both epidemics. Read article

Trainings and Webinars

  • Montana Primary Care Association The PCSS Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Course will be held April 8th & 9th. This is a two-part series, four hours each day. Participants must complete both the April 8 and April 9 sessions. The training is designed for providers who plan to obtain a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine in office-based treatment of opioid use disorders. For more information visit the Montana Primary Care Association at https://www.mtpca.org/events/
  • Naloxone General User Certification Training Public health officials are reporting recent spikes in drug overdose deaths, with over 30 states reporting increases in opioidinvolved overdose deaths primarily related to illicit fentanyl (Millenium Health Signals Report, 2020). Know the signs, be prepared, and save a life. Learn how you can become trained to carry and administer naloxone.

https:// dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/emsts/prevention/naloxtrng

 

For More information contact our Project Director Barbara Allen at blallen@montana.edu or (406)-994-3531