Moderator: Doug Edwards, MBA, Director, Institute for the Advancement of Behavioral Healthcare

CE Certified By: AMA,ADA,ACPE,ANCC,NAADAC,APA,NASW,NBCC

Based on analysis of data from law enforcement, prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), monitoring of non-medical and illicit drug uses, and public health sources, a leading U.S. expert will demonstrate that supplies of Rx stimulants and illicit stimulants are increasing at faster rate than opioids.

Topics will include:
1. Drug Supply. From 2010 through 2016 there were increasing seizures by High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task forces of illicit opioids and illicit stimulants, but the quantities of seized stimulants exceeded seized heroin. Data from 11 PDMPs show that prescribing of opioids and other, non-stimulant drugs finally peaked between 2011 and 2015 and have declined since. However, prescriptions of stimulants have steadily increased each year.
2. Drug Demand. Demand for drugs of abuse are changing, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The number of people abusing Rx opioids decreased somewhat during the period 2010 through 2015, while those abusing heroin increased. At the same time, the number of people abusing Rx stimulants and illicit stimulants increased more rapidly.
3. Deaths. Cocaine-related deaths involving opioids more than doubled between 2010 and 2015, while cocaine deaths not involving opioids were stable. This links the opioid epidemic and the increasing supply of and demand for stimulants.

With the goal of launching responses in time to prevent a repetition of the opioid epidemic, this workshop will serve as an early warning that changes are needed in prevention, treatment, emergency responses to drug overdoses, clinical prescribing behavior, pharmacy practice, public policy and statutes, law enforcement, PDMPs, third-party payer policies, education and advocacy.

UPON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
- Discuss evidence that the supplies of Rx stimulants and illicit stimulants are increasing and are increasing at a faster rate than opioids.
- Identify methods available to monitor what is going on with multiple types of drug abuse, including non-medical use of stimulants and use of illicit stimulants, even while primary attention is focused on just one type, i.e. opioids.
- Explain how available tools can be used to establish an early warning system to alert all professions and concerned national, state and local groups to emerging threats so prevention and other responses can be launched in time to prevent a repetition of the opioid epidemic.