Tribes of wisconsin prescription drug/opioid overdose-related deaths prevention project - the tribes of wisconsin prescription drug/opioid overdose-related deaths prevention project (TWI-PDO) plans to…

Tribes of wisconsin prescription drug/opioid overdose-related deaths prevention project - the tribes of wisconsin prescription drug/opioid overdose-related deaths prevention project (TWI-PDO) plans to serve and train over 5,100 people, with 700 people in year 1, and then 1,100 each year thereafter. TWI-PDO will use a comprehensive, culturally appropriate approach focusing on two main goals: 1) reduce the number of opioid overdose-related deaths and adverse events by 10% among individuals' ages 18 years and older; and 2) develop and implement a comprehensive secondary prevention campaign to address opioid overdose-related deaths and adverse events in high risk communities. Activities will focus on the reduction of deaths and adverse events by training first responders (emergency medical services [EMS], law enforcement, fire & rescue, and crisis workers) and other key community sectors on the prevention of overdose-related deaths and implementing secondary prevention strategies, including the purchase and distribution of naloxone to first responders. Funding will go to three federally-recognized tribes in three high need counties in northern wisconsin: the menominee tribe, LAC courte oreilles tribe, and an additional tribe to be determined later, in coordination with the tribal affairs office in the department of health services (DHS). Wisconsin has been experiencing a surge in opioid pain reliever prescriptions and its harmful consequences since the early 2000's. Since the start of the increase, the age-adjusted death rate from opioid overdose has increased over five-fold. The combined needs assessment indicators highlight the health and economic disparities of highest percentage outlined the need for support of the native american/indigenous (NA/i) residents in wisconsin. State level data reveal racial/ethnic disparities for opioid-related deaths are more than two times the rate for NA/i residents than white residents. The same is true for synthetic opioids. Overall, these statistics, in part, help to explain the life expectancy GAP the indian health service reports for american indian and alaska natives as 5.5 years less than all other racial-ethnic groups in the united states. The needs assessment for this proposed application identified an initial group of high risk tribal nations to engage in project activities focused on access to services, urban/rural classification, risk indicators based on opioid poisoning deaths, hospital admissions, emergency room visits, and naloxone EMS runs. Utilizing an algorithm based on risk and protective factors, DHS has received commitments from two tribal nations, with one to be determined, that are in high need of prevention efforts to reduce deaths from prescription opioid drugs and/or illicit opioids (i.e. heroin) among persons ages 18 and older. These proposed activities in counties with tribal lands and peoples also support governor's and the DHS' effort to provide public health solutions to address health disparities across the state.