2024 Hope Newsletters

Naloxone: Live-saving Overdose Reversal Medication

Naloxone Keeps the Circle Strong

Naloxone has become a standard first aid tool as a medication that reverses an overdose. It can be given at any time, to anyone. It should be administered even if an opioid overdose is only suspected and not yet confirmed. Studies Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  have shown that community access to naloxone can decrease overdose death rates. IHS has released a variety of resources and tools to support naloxone training in your area:

Naloxone Keeps the Circle Strong Flyer Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  [PDF - 593 KB]

Naloxone Keeps the Circle Strong Guide: How to Start the Naloxone Conversation Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  [PDF - 52 KB]

How to Use Naloxone Video Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Virtual, on-demand Naloxone train-the-trainer course Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Naloxone Trainings: Consider adapting the training material for your local area!

Naloxone Training for Community Members [PPT - 8 MB]

Naloxone Training for Healthcare Personnel/First Responders [PPT - 11.4 MB]

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Naloxone in Schools Toolkit

There is a growing a concern about use of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, among our youth. Synthetic opioids cause overdose quickly and can be mixed with other substances, such as marijuana or methamphetamine, without the user’s knowledge. This means that someone’s first use can be fatal if synthetic opioids are present. Schools in many areas have taken action to expand access to overdose prevention efforts. The toolkit provides an example of training plans and materials to support school implementation.

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New Naloxone Education Flyers

• Considerations for Co-prescribing Naloxone Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  [PDF - 469 KB]
• FAQs about Naloxone Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  [PDF - 702 KB]
• Opioid Safety Precautions: Fentanyl Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  [PDF - 758 KB]

Contact a naloxone mentor in your IHS Area [PDF - 114 KB] for support with local naloxone initiatives. Mentors can provide an overview of the training materials, program best practices, and offer specific technical assistance.

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Drug Checking Equipment: Test Strips

Fentanyl test strips are now available through the IHS National Supply Service Center (NSSC)

Submit a 413 form to order!

Harm reduction includes individual and community-based safety practices aimed to improve overall health and wellness, with a focus on acceptance instead of abstinence. Basic principles include:

• Valuing all people and their journey by delivering non-judgmental care and education of harm reduction strategies and available services without the fear of shame or punitive action
• Believing that people using substances should be empowered to seek and receive quality healthcare, regardless of their use status
• Recognizing social differences that impact people's ability to change behaviors

Drug checking equipment (such as fentanyl or xylazine test strips) is a strategy to support local harm reduction efforts. They serve as small but vital components of a comprehensive framework to promote health, reduce risk, and engage people struggling with substance use in their own health decisions. For a comprehensive overview of harm reduction pillars, principles, and practices, review SAMHSA’s Harm Reduction Framework. IHS has released a variety of resources to support using drug checking equipment:

• Fentanyl Test Strip Education and Funding
• IHS Harm Reduction Drug Checking Equipment Dispensing Log and facility Policy Examples

State and tribal laws regarding the consideration of FTS as drug paraphernalia may vary. Please consider the implications of these laws in your area prior to product purchasing and deployment.

Syringe Service Programs: The Benefits

Syringe services programs (SSPs) are comprehensive in providing health care and other assistance to persons who use substances. Providing sterile injection equipment and other prevention materials has been shown to reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission, such as HIV and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) , and reduces needle stick injuries among community members and law enforcement personnel.

Benefits of SSPs:

• Reduce substance use: CDC reports that new users of SSPs are 5 times more likely to enter treatment and 3 times more likely to stop using substances than those who don’t use programs.
• Reduce disease transmission: Data shows a 50% reduction in HIV and HCV incidence with use of SSPs. Transmission is further reduced by over two-thirds when combined with medication-assisted treatment programs. This reduces healthcare costs and the overall burden of disease.
• Improve public safety: A reduction in the number of dirty needles and other used equipment discarded in public areas decreases the risk of disease transmission and needle stick injuries.
• Opioid overdose prevention: Expanded naloxone education and dispensing efforts
• Enhance support: People who participate in SSPs are more likely to openly discuss their needs, likely because they feel empowered to prioritize their health on their own terms. This leads to safer behavioral practices and reduced risk of infections.

IHS hosts sample program documents available for download for anyone interested in starting or expanding local harm reduction efforts.

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Newsletter written by HOPE Committee. Contact LCDR Kristin Allmaras with questions.

Supporting Recovery: Sharing Stories

Release of Red Lake Nation Recovery Care Videos

Substance use disorders (SUDs) disproportionally impact American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people and many communities have developed innovative strategies in response. By sharing stories of community healing we can better understand and serve our relatives that are experiencing SUDs. Watch the Red Lake Recovery Videos to learn how local champions came together to heal the community.

Provider Video: Community Healing — Best Practices

The Red Lake Nation’s approach to serving and supporting community members who experience SUD and how they are restoring hope and healing the community. By focusing on a community-based, person- first approach, they save lives and restore families.

• Watch the video Community Healing – Best Practices Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Recovery is possible. Hear inspiring recovery stories:

• Watch a Patient Video: Sharing Our Stories - Living a Beautiful Life in Recovery Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Or watch the shortened version Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Family Care Plans: Comprehensive Toolkit

Clinicians can impact and improve outcomes for AI/AN Pregnant and Parenting People (PPP) experiencing SUDs. To assist these efforts, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and HOPE Committee, alongside clinicians and individuals in recovery, developed a Family Care Plans Toolkit Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  (formerly Plans of Safe Care).

This toolkit is designed to:

• Help clinicians care for AI/AN PPP and their infants impacted by SUDs
• Support PPP transitioning into and remaining in active recovery
• Assist affected partners and families in growing stronger

The toolkit includes:

• A 36-page healthcare provider guide Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  offers recommendations that have been demonstrated to improve outcomes for PPP and their infants for 3 potential points of intervention: prenatally, during birth, and postnatally.
• Six (6) different patient education handouts Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov and an educational poster recognizing how AI/AN people are living their ancestors’ prayers.
• A care coordination plan Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov that can be developed prenatally and updated postnatally with the pregnant person and involved caregivers. The goal of the care coordination plan is to ensure infants and families are connected to supportive services in their communities.
• The Family Care Plans video.Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Watch expert presentations Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  on effectively treating PPP with SUDs.

Team-Based Care: Choosing your Language

Substance use disorder remains to be one of the most stigmatized chronic disease states that continue to impact Indian Country. Health care professionals are often the first point of contact for a person with SUD, professionals should take all steps necessary to reduce the potential for stigma and negative bias. The first step is using non-stigmatizing language. Use person-first language, which maintains the integrity of the individual as a whole human being.

What can you do to reduce stigma?

• Be kind and treat those in vulnerable situations with dignity
• Actively listen while someone is sharing their story
• Educate yourself: learn about SUD, how it changes the brain, and how it impacts patients and their families
• Encourage other colleagues to learn more and share what you have learned!
• Avoid labels and replace negative thoughts and assumptions with evidence-based facts
• Change Your Language - Remember, Words Matter!

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Newsletter written by HOPE Committee. Contact LCDR Kristin Allmaras with questions.