ICJIA publishes new article: “Probation Clients’ Barriers to Access and Use of Opioid Use Disorder Medications”

Some individuals on probation who have opioid use disorders (OUDs) cannot access effective, FDA-approved medications-methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone-to treat their disorders. This article shared finding from a survey of 26 Illinois probation department directors on how probation departments respond to clients with OUDs, focusing on the barriers to accessing OUD medications. The article noted that a majority of probation department leaders perceived barriers for probation client access to OUD medications including lack of medical personnel experience, cost, need for guidance on medications, and regulations prohibiting medication use. The article highlighted a need for training, interagency collaboration, and policy changes to increase access to, education on, and use of, medications for probation clients. Such efforts may result in positive outcomes such as reduced recidivism, increased quality of life, and reduced mortality.

Review the Article HERE

ICJIA publishes new report on “Alcohol-Impaired Driving in Illinois”

Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is a persistent but preventable problem that creates a risk of injury or death for all individuals on the road. This article provides an overview of policies to prevent and reduce alcohol-impaired driving, an analysis of related data from Illinois, and a review of existing research on interventions to combat driving under the influence. Researchers found the number of DUI arrests and alcohol-related fatal accidents in Illinois have remained stable or decreased in the past decade. However, further research is needed to fully understand the impact of law enforcement efforts and new technology to address alcohol-impaired driving.

Review the report HERE

ICJIA publishes: “A State and National Overview of Methamphetamine Trends”

While most of the country has turned its attention to the opioid crisis, Illinois has seen a resurgence in methamphetamine misuse and related offending, particularly in rural areas. Researchers explored literature and data available on the extent and nature of state and national methamphetamine issues. Researchers found the arrest rate for methamphetamine-related offenses more than tripled between 2010 and 2017 in Illinois and the number of individuals in Illinois prisons for methamphetamine offenses increased 67 percent between 2012 and 2018. Further, treatment admissions for methamphetamine increased five-fold between 2000 and 2017.

Review the report HERE

CPRD presents study of youth marijuana use and medical marijuana dispensary locations at Research Society on Marijuana conference.

CPRD recently presented the results of research combining the Illinois Youth Survey results and data on marijuana dispensary locations around the state to examine whether dispensary locations may have an effect on increasing youth use of marijuana. Initial results, presented in the figure above, suggests no relationshipo or a very limited relationship if any. This subject probably warrants further research, especially as medical marijuana dispensaries are set to become recreational marijuana dispensaries as of July 1, 2020 in Illinois.

This research was recently presented at the Research Society on Marijuana Annual Conference in Vancouver, Washington.

 

Statewide Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System – understanding opioid overdose deaths in Illinois

Opioid overdose is a national epidemic that effects individuals, families and communities. In 2016, there were more than 63,600 drug overdose deaths in the United States, according to National Center for Health Statistics.

To help find ways to prevent opioid overdose deaths it is important that we know the facts. The Statewide Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) helps us understand emerging trends and factors leading up to the overdose and can be used to develop prevention approaches.

Here are the Illinois County Summary Results:

A link to the SUDORS data system was just added to our website’s Illinois Data Resources Page.

Teen Binge Drinking at Chicago’s Annual Lollapalooza Music Festival continues to trend down – says a new report

After peaking in 2014, the number of drunk teens ending up in Chicago Emergency Rooms (ERs) dropped dramatically during the music festival, Lollapalooza.  A study led by pediatric specialists at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago shows that the number of ER visits for underage drinkers, ages 13 to 20, peaked in 2014 at 213 ER visits to 100 in 2018, a 53 percent decrease.

“However, teenage drinking during this event is still too high — 5 times higher than a normal Chicago weekend so we still have work to do.” Robert Tanz, MD, Lurie Children’s Hospital

A link to the informational release from Lurie Children’s Hospital is HERE

 

 

Vermont SEOW releases updated report on marijuana use

Marijuana Regulation in Vermont: 2017 Literature Review Update

The “Health Impact Assessment:Marijuana Regulation in Vermont”(HIA) was a comprehensive stakeholder process that included a literature review of research published between 2009 to August 2015. The stakeholders identified 180 articles that addressed the effects of marijuana use across several physical, mental, and social health domains. In an effort to update that review, the Health Department searched peer-reviewed research studies and literature reviews/meta-analyses published between August 2015 and January 2017 and identified an additional 180 articles pertinent to the topic.This update to the HIA supports the conclusions from the original work: early and persistent use of marijuana can cause long-term adverse effects across several health domains. Of particular concern is the robust relationship between early use and the development of psychotic symptoms especially among those who consume very high potency marijuana.

The PDF report can be found here:

http://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2017/02/ADAP_HIA%20Update.pdf

IDPH releases Health Alert documenting severe respiratory illnesses following vaping.

Severe Respiratory Illnesses Following Vaping 

Severe respiratory illnesses have been seen in adolescents in Wisconsin and Illinois who have reported vaping in the weeks and months prior to onset of illness.

•The Illinois Department of Public Health is requesting that health care providers who are seeing patients with suspected serious respiratory illness and who vape report these to their local health department as soon as possible. If vaping fluid commonly used by the patient is available ask that it be set aside (not used) in case it is needed for testing.

The full Health Alert is available here:

20190802_IDPH_Health Alert_resp ill vaping

Background:  More than 10 cases of severe pulmonary disease have been reported in adolescents in Wisconsin, primarily in southeastern Wisconsin in the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha and Winnebago. Three suspect cases have been identified in Illinois (Kane and Cook counties). Information on products used will be collected to try and identify a particular source.