Vermont overdose data to action in states - there has been a 110% increase in vermont accidental and undetermined opioid-related fatalities between 2019 to 2022 (from 114 to 239), primarily associated…

Vermont overdose data to action in states - there has been a 110% increase in vermont accidental and undetermined opioid-related fatalities between 2019 to 2022 (from 114 to 239), primarily associated with increases in fatalities involving fentanyl and xylazine. This increase has occurred even with sustained focus, investment, and implementation of strategies to address illicit drug initiation and use on both the local and state level. Vermont saw a decrease in fatal overdoses in 2019 for the first time since 2014, but due in part to the covid-19 pandemic in 2020, overdoses have since increased each year so that 2022 had the most overdoses of any year on record. The vermont department of health (vermont) proposes to continue evidence-based and promising practice activities to address drug overdoses that began with earlier CDC funding opportunities as well as implementing new activities that align with CDC overdose data to action in states nofo strategies 1-9, including optional strategy 4 and optional strategy 5. Purpose: vermont will work collaboratively to collect timely and accurate overdose-related data for rigorous analysis and rapid dissemination to strengthen and inform strategies to prevent drug overdoses. Targeted prevention and intervention activities will be implemented in counties at highest risk and statewide initiatives will support activities that assure sustained impact in reducing overdoses. Outcomes: proposed activities support all CDC identified long term outcomes: 1) decreased fatal drug overdoses overall and 2) decreased nonfatal drug overdoses overall, for both: primarily involving opioids and/or stimulants; among populations disproportionately affected by overdose and underserved by overdose prevention programs and the healthcare system. 3) decreased illicit opioid and stimulant use, including CO-use with other substances, OUD, and stud. 4) increased uptake of evidence-based treatment and retention with long-term recovery supports, with a primary focus on OUD and stud. 5) improved health equity among groups disproportionately affected by the overdose epidemic and those previously underserved by overdose prevention programs and the healthcare system. 6) decreased stigma related to substance use and overdose. Proposed activities: vermont proposes enhancing surveillance infrastructure by integrating siren continuum for essence data analysis. Vermont proposes submitting monthly emergency department data and reporting all accidental and undetermined drug-related fatalities into the state unintentional drug overdose reporting system. Vermont proposes both competitive strategies 4 biosurveillance and 5 linkages to care. The pdmp will be enhanced to ensure interstate interoperability and expanded use by clinicians. Vermont will support health system and clinician engagement in OUD and stud screening, treatment, and referral. Public health/public safety partnerships will be strengthened through data sharing, trainings, and evidence-based overdose prevention strategies. Harm reduction organizations and outreach will be strengthened. Navigators to harm reduction and treatment services will be supported in a variety of settings. Vermont will also develop and implement targeted prevention activities to reach disproportionately affected and historically underserved populations.