States and localities across the United States have implemented overdose fatality review teams to address the impact of the opioid crisis on their communities. Overdose fatality review teams are designed to increase cross-system collaboration among various public safety, public health, and social service agencies; identify missed opportunities and system gaps; and develop recommendations for intervention efforts in hopes of preventing future overdose deaths. However, limitations in peer-reviewed research on the effectiveness of overdose fatality review teams limit the understanding of their usefulness. This article provides a review of literature on overdose fatality review teams, including goals, recommendations, and information sharing protocols, as well as considerations from other fatality review teams.
Illinois is experiencing both an opioid overdose epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic. The numbers of fatal opioid overdoses have increased since 2019 with treatment and harm reduction services complicated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this publication is to provide a brief update on the state of the opioid epidemic in Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 fatality data are provisional, and numbers may change as cases are reviewed and only available through the third quarter of 2020.
CPRD has recently released “Strata Reports” that report the frequencies for all variables covered in the Illinois Youth Survey for Illinois youth in 8th, 10th and 12th grades living in urban, suburban and rural areas. CPRD was unable to produce the strata report for the City of Chicago that is typically released due to an inadequate sample size. CPRD was also unable to produce an overall statewide report also due to sample size limitations resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Reported data tables in each strata report are divided into six areas:
STUDENT CHARACTERISTICS includes demographic data and other information about the surveyed population.
DRUG PREVALENCE AND BEHAVIORS Includes substance use behaviors including type, frequency, consequences, and recovery.
DRUG USE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS Includes factors in students, their families, and their communities that may increase or reduce the risk of youth substance use disorder, such as access to substances and parental communication about expectations to not use drugs.
INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT, VIOLENCE AND DELINQUENCY includes experiences with violence and high-risk behaviors including bullying, fighting, and gambling.
ACADEMIC AND SCHOOL EXPERIENCES includes youth opinions of their academic experiences, their school environment, and engagement in youth activities.
MENTAL, SOCIAL, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH includes a variety of mental and physical health issues including thoughts about depression/suicide, nutrition, and physical activity (includes estimates of obesity).
For questions contact scott[at]cprd[dot]illinois[dot]edu
A new study from the Drug Free Partnership addresses the death rate from alcohol, drugs and suicide.
“In 2018, more than 150,000 Americans died from alcohol, drugs and suicide combined, according to the study from the nonprofit health policy groups Trust for America’s Health and the Well Being Trust. The death rate—46.4 deaths per 100,000—was level with the 2017 rate, the study found. It is the first time since 1999 that there has not been an annual increase.”
