Latest news with #OpioidUseDisorder
Globe and Mail
31-03-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
New Developments in Opioid Use Disorder Research Highlighting the Need for Integrated Care Approaches
Chicago, IL - A new study titled 'Predictors of Mortality Among Patients With Opioid Use Disorder: Insights From the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Readmission Database' has uncovered critical factors influencing mortality among patients with Opioid Use Disorder. The research, led by Naga Venkata Satish Babu Bodapati, Sandipkumar Patel, Rana Veer Samara Sihman Bharattej Rupavath, Omkar Reddy Polu, Balaiah Chamarthi, and Chrishanti Anna Joseph, provides valuable insights that could improve survival outcomes for this vulnerable population. The study found that mortality among patients with Opioid Use Disorder is significantly influenced by factors such as age, comorbidities, hospital characteristics, and healthcare disparities. These findings emphasize the urgent need for integrated care approaches that address both the medical and psychiatric conditions associated with Opioid Use Disorder. The research highlights the importance of providing holistic treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality rates. Ms. Emily Clark, Senior Journalist at Alpine Vision Media, stated, 'This study offers vital insights into the complex factors that contribute to mortality among patients with Opioid Use Disorder. By recognizing the role of comorbidities and healthcare disparities, we can develop more targeted interventions that address the multifaceted needs of this population. In the United States, the opioid crisis continues to claim thousands of lives each year, with opioid-related deaths exceeding 100,000 annually. The findings from this research suggest that a more integrated care model, which includes coordinated medical and psychiatric treatment, could lead to improved survival rates". These strategies, combined with harm reduction approaches, could significantly reduce the mortality rate among individuals struggling with Opioid Use Disorder. Leading experts from around the world are already recognizing the importance of these findings. Dr. Eduardo J. Gómez, a prominent addiction specialist from Colombia, and Dr. Nasser Al-Ghanim, a leader in public health from Kuwait, both of whom have dedicated their careers to improving healthcare outcomes in underserved regions, acknowledge the value of integrated care in improving survival outcomes for patients with Opioid Use Disorder. Their work, alongside the insights from this study, could influence the global approach to addressing opioid addiction and its associated risks. The study's implications are far-reaching. "With over 16 million people suffering from opioid use disorder worldwide, these findings highlight the need for more comprehensive, patient-centered care strategies that focus on both physical and mental health. In addition to the health benefits, this research is poised to result in significant financial savings. The cost of opioid-related healthcare in the U.S. is astronomical, with opioid overdoses and related conditions contributing to over $78 billion annually in medical, lost productivity, and criminal justice costs. By reducing mortality rates and improving patient care through more targeted and integrated interventions, this research could save billions in healthcare expenditures. Optimizing the treatment approach for those with Opioid Use Disorder not only improves lives but also holds the potential to significantly alleviate the financial burden on healthcare systems worldwide," stated Ms. Clark. Targeted interventions to mitigate high-risk factors and enhance harm reduction strategies will be essential for improving survival rates and reducing the burden of opioid-related mortality globally. Citation: Bodapati N, Patel S, Sihman Bharattej Rupavath R, et al. (March 29, 2025) Predictors of Mortality Among Patients With Opioid Use Disorder: Insights From the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Readmission Database. Cureus 17(3): e81405. DOI 10.7759/cureus.81405
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas legislators propose a bill to alleviate the opioid crisis
PALESTINE, Texas (KETK) – An East Texas State legislator is pushing for a bill that would support veterans who are facing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) 5-year-old hit by sedan in Carthage, officials investigating East Texas State Representative Cody Harris of Palestine has proposed HB 3717 which would provide $50 million in private and public funding for research into ibogaine-assisted therapy. The therapy focuses on working with veterans who are suffering from (OUD) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) along with other neurological and mental health conditions. Harris spoke about how the bill could transform the lives of many veterans across the state by giving them a second chance through recovery from addiction. 'This bill puts Texas at the forefront of medical innovation and personal freedom by cutting through federal red tape and supporting life-saving research that could give our veterans and countless others a second chance. We can't afford to wait —Texas must lead the way,' Harris said. Click here to learn more about HB 3717 through the Texas Legislature online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
09-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Why a potential $7.4 billion Purdue Pharma opioid settlement frustrates some victims
Activist Ryan Hampton sees a major flaw in the proposed $7.4 billion bankruptcy settlement reached by the OxyContin maker. While it's potentially one of the largest opioid settlements ever, he says victims stand to see only a small portion of the funds. Facing thousands of lawsuits over its role in the deadly opioid crisis, Purdue declared bankruptcy in 2019. At the time, Purdue was debt-free and worth more than a billion dollars. But the company was facing trillions in claims and resorted – along with its wealthy owners, members of the Sackler family – to the bankruptcy process for a resolution. Bankruptcy is about money, not justice, Hampton told 60 Minutes. "It's about who gets paid the most and who gets paid out in what order." Hampton was appointed by the Justice Department in 2019 to represent the financial interests of victims in the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case. For two years, he served on a committee of creditors. The claims against Purdue Pharma and members of the Sackler family Hampton is one of 140,000 claimants saying they or someone they love were harmed by Purdue's opioids. He was 23 when he says he was prescribed OxyContin for a knee injury in 2003. The one-time White House intern said he quickly became addicted to the powerful opioid, lost his job working on political campaigns and became homeless. With treatment, Hampton overcame his addiction 10 years ago and started speaking out against Purdue and the Sacklers. As part of the bankruptcy case, seven Sacklers — all former Purdue board members or employees — were deposed in 2020. Dr. Richard Sackler, a former Purdue president, in 2001 helped turn OxyContin into what was, at the time, the most prescribed brand-name narcotic in the U.S. During the bankruptcy deposition, he described the drug's benefits and was asked about the drug's deadly risks. His son, David Sackler, helped manage the family's wealth and also served on Purdue's board of directors. During depositions, he was asked about the responsibility Purdue had toward the patients who were prescribed the company's opioids and then suffered from Opioid Use Disorder, or addiction. "What responsibility does it have to them? These were defined risks on the label and although we feel terrible for them, I think we've taken a dramatic amount of responsibility for them," David Sackler said. Members of the Sackler family have agreed to pay up to $6.5 billion of the proposed settlement amount over the next 15 years. If the deal is finalized, Purdue is expected to pay about $900 million. The "kick in the gut" for victims Members of the Sackler family continue to own Purdue Pharma, and to this day, not a single victim has received any compensation, according to a recent status report filed by mediators. And while the proposed $7.4 billion settlement may sound like a lot, only about 10% of the total amount will go to victims, according to the mediators' report. Claiming nearly 90% are other creditors, including 48 states, thousands of hospitals, insurance companies and top pharmacy chains, all of which say they too paid a price in the opioid epidemic. "It felt like every major company under the sun was coming for a part of Purdue," Hampton said. He called it a "money grab" and pointed toward CVS, which has a claim in the bankruptcy case. "CVS was charged by the Department of Justice for knowingly filling suspicious opioid prescriptions as late as last year," Hampton said. Court records show that lawyers, mediators and others have already pocketed nearly $1 billion paid by Purdue. And 41 firms have so far been paid more money than victims are expected to get in the proposed $7.4 billion settlement deal. He also believes some victims won't receive any payments. "It is a kick in the gut," Hampton said. To have a valid claim, many victims will need to show proof of a Purdue opioid prescription. That means some families do not expect to get a dime in the settlement, like Emily Walden. Walden said her son, TJ, became addicted to opioids after taking OxyContin as a teen. He was 21 and in the Kentucky National Guard when he overdosed 13 years ago. "I've talked to a lot of parents. I know a lot of people that have filed claims," Walden said. "Nobody wants their blood money. But do they have a right to it? Did they pay for a funeral? Did they pay for treatment due to the actions of that company and the Sacklers? Should they get that money back? Absolutely." Her son's death certificate lists oxycodone, the active ingredient in OxyContin and other prescription opioids, as a factor. That may not be enough proof in the bankruptcy case. Walden explained why people should be eligible for compensation as part of the settlement, even if they weren't taking the drug as prescribed. "They knew they were making massive profits on putting these on the street. They knew that. Why would they not be held liable for that?" she said of Purdue. "You knew it was being diverted. And you let it go." Victims' families call for the Sacklers to face criminal charges Purdue has pleaded guilty to four felonies over three decades, including a 2007 plea that the company lied about OxyContin being less addictive and less prone to abuse than other pain medications. But to this day, no member of the Sackler family or Purdue employee has ever faced felony charges. Former federal prosecutor Rick Mountcastle led the four-year investigation that resulted in Purdue's 2007 guilty plea. He says he was ready to charge three top Purdue executives with felonies. He hoped the three executives — Purdue's top lawyer Howard Udell, medical director Paul Goldenheim and President Michael Friedman — would roll on members of the Sackler family, who had dominated the company's board for decades. But Mountcastle says the felony charges were blocked by his superiors at the Justice Department during the George W. Bush administration. Instead, in 2007 the three executives pleaded guilty to misdemeanors but denied having any knowledge of Purdue's crimes. "Decisions are being made, not based on the facts and what's in the best interest of the American people; these are decisions that are being made based on politics and personal gain," Mountcastle said. After 30 years as a federal prosecutor, he says he's disappointed in the Department of Justice. "Everything that the department has done since 2007 to today has been to protect the billionaires, the Sackler family," Mountcastle said. The Sacklers maintain their innocence and have agreed to settle claims in the bankruptcy not as an admission of guilt, but to end years of litigation. The family will also give up ownership of Purdue, but their vast wealth remains. In the years leading up to the bankruptcy, the Sacklers took about $11 billion out of Purdue, more than 70% of the company's total assets. 60 Minutes requested interviews with members of Richard Sackler's family, but did not hear back on that request. Prior to 60 Minutes' March 9 broadcast, which featured correspondent Cecilia Vega's report on the Purdue Pharma settlement, we reached out to Purdue Pharma for comment on our story, "The Settlement." The company responded to 60 Minutes with the following statement: "We are gratified to have reached a new agreement with virtually all of the private and governmental stakeholders in these cases. The terms of the settlements are the product of intense work with our creditors, with a single-minded focus on delivering billions of dollars to compensate victims, abate the opioid crisis, and deliver overdose rescue medicines that will save lives. We are now hard at work fully documenting these settlements, including in a new Plan of Reorganization, which we look forward to presenting to the bankruptcy court. We are working to emerge as a public benefit company – 100% devoted to improving the lives of Americans – as soon as possible."
Associated Press
27-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Unite Us Receives Grant to Combat Ohio's Opioid Crisis and Expand Recovery Services in Montgomery County
Funding from OneOhio Recovery Foundation will drive technology-enabled recovery services and increase access to critical support for Ohioans impacted by Substance Use Disorder Dayton, Ohio--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2025) - Unite Us, the nation's leading technology partner for social care transformation, has been awarded a grant from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation to strengthen opioid abatement efforts in Montgomery County. This grant will enhance the Unite Ohio network, a statewide coordinated care network, to provide critical recovery services for residents of Ohio affected by opioid addiction. Through a powerful partnership with CliniSync, Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) and Unite Us, this initiative will use Unite Us' care coordination platform and data and analytics tools, to improve data sharing and connect healthcare providers, local government agencies, and community-based organizations (CBOs) to deliver timely, effective support to those in need. The technology will help ensure that individuals battling addiction receive the right care at the right time, streamlining recovery pathways. 'At Unite Us, we are dedicated to ensuring individuals facing addiction can access the care and support they need, when they need it,' said Taylor Justice, co-founder and president of Unite Us. 'This grant enables us to strengthen collaboration across healthcare and community organizations in Montgomery County, leveraging technology to remove barriers to recovery. By integrating our platform with CliniSync's Health Information Exchange, we can enhance data sharing, streamline care coordination, and improve outcomes for individuals and families impacted by the opioid crisis.' A Proven Model for Success The growth of Unite Ohio builds on a successful opioid reduction model launched in Summit County. Led by County Executive Ilene Shapiro in 2023, this initiative leveraged Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) settlement funds and has since become a statewide blueprint for technology-driven collaboration in addiction recovery. The success of Unite Ohio has been greatly supported by key partners like CliniSync, MetroHealth, Cleveland Clinic, and Summit County. Their early adoption of Unite Us' technology has played a crucial role in establishing coordinated care solutions across the state. Their leadership continues to influence Ohio's comprehensive strategy for addressing the opioid crisis. A Statewide Commitment to Recovery This grant is part of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation's $51 million inaugural funding cycle, which supports statewide initiatives in prevention, treatment, and recovery. With funding requests far exceeding available resources, this partnership with Unite Us underscores the urgent need for scalable, tech-driven solutions to combat the opioid crisis. 'Across Ohio, organizations like Unite Us are working tirelessly to strengthen communities impacted by the opioid epidemic,' said Alisha Nelson, executive director of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation. 'We're pleased to partner with Unite Us to support their efforts to save lives, rebuild families affected by addiction, and foster strong and resilient places to live.' For more details on the grant recipients and future funding opportunities, visit About Unite Us: Unite Us is the nation's premier technology provider for transforming social care. Our advanced product suite is used to proactively coordinate services using data-driven insights, streamline referral and case management, and facilitate eligibility assessments and reimbursements across government, healthcare, health plans, and community organizations. The first of its kind, our closed-loop referral system prioritizes privacy and dignity and has integrated data and analytics tools used to measure impact, optimize programs, and shape policy. With over 1.5M services, we host the nation's largest network of community-based health and social services dedicated to improving whole-person health. Learn more at and LinkedIn. Media Contact: About the OneOhio Recovery Foundation The OneOhio Recovery Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation created under the leadership of Governor Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost, and other state and local leaders, with the mission of advancing Ohio's addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts now and into the future. The Foundation is governed by a 29-member board from across Ohio and is funded by 55 percent of settlement funds that Ohio is receiving from the pharmaceutical industry as a consequence of its role in the national opioid epidemic. Funds support local efforts to prevent and combat addiction and are also invested to support those efforts for the long term.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Unite Us Receives Grant to Combat Ohio's Opioid Crisis and Expand Recovery Services in Montgomery County
Funding from OneOhio Recovery Foundation will drive technology-enabled recovery services and increase access to critical support for Ohioans impacted by Substance Use Disorder Dayton, Ohio--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2025) - Unite Us, the nation's leading technology partner for social care transformation, has been awarded a grant from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation to strengthen opioid abatement efforts in Montgomery County. This grant will enhance the Unite Ohio network, a statewide coordinated care network, to provide critical recovery services for residents of Ohio affected by opioid addiction. Through a powerful partnership with CliniSync, Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) and Unite Us, this initiative will use Unite Us' care coordination platform and data and analytics tools, to improve data sharing and connect healthcare providers, local government agencies, and community-based organizations (CBOs) to deliver timely, effective support to those in need. The technology will help ensure that individuals battling addiction receive the right care at the right time, streamlining recovery pathways. "At Unite Us, we are dedicated to ensuring individuals facing addiction can access the care and support they need, when they need it," said Taylor Justice, co-founder and president of Unite Us. "This grant enables us to strengthen collaboration across healthcare and community organizations in Montgomery County, leveraging technology to remove barriers to recovery. By integrating our platform with CliniSync's Health Information Exchange, we can enhance data sharing, streamline care coordination, and improve outcomes for individuals and families impacted by the opioid crisis." A Proven Model for Success The growth of Unite Ohio builds on a successful opioid reduction model launched in Summit County. Led by County Executive Ilene Shapiro in 2023, this initiative leveraged Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) settlement funds and has since become a statewide blueprint for technology-driven collaboration in addiction recovery. The success of Unite Ohio has been greatly supported by key partners like CliniSync, MetroHealth, Cleveland Clinic, and Summit County. Their early adoption of Unite Us' technology has played a crucial role in establishing coordinated care solutions across the state. Their leadership continues to influence Ohio's comprehensive strategy for addressing the opioid crisis. A Statewide Commitment to Recovery This grant is part of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation's $51 million inaugural funding cycle, which supports statewide initiatives in prevention, treatment, and recovery. With funding requests far exceeding available resources, this partnership with Unite Us underscores the urgent need for scalable, tech-driven solutions to combat the opioid crisis. "Across Ohio, organizations like Unite Us are working tirelessly to strengthen communities impacted by the opioid epidemic," said Alisha Nelson, executive director of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation. "We're pleased to partner with Unite Us to support their efforts to save lives, rebuild families affected by addiction, and foster strong and resilient places to live." For more details on the grant recipients and future funding opportunities, visit About Unite Us: Unite Us is the nation's premier technology provider for transforming social care. Our advanced product suite is used to proactively coordinate services using data-driven insights, streamline referral and case management, and facilitate eligibility assessments and reimbursements across government, healthcare, health plans, and community organizations. The first of its kind, our closed-loop referral system prioritizes privacy and dignity and has integrated data and analytics tools used to measure impact, optimize programs, and shape policy. With over 1.5M services, we host the nation's largest network of community-based health and social services dedicated to improving whole-person health. Learn more at and LinkedIn. Media Contact: Unite Us communications@ About the OneOhio Recovery Foundation The OneOhio Recovery Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation created under the leadership of Governor Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost, and other state and local leaders, with the mission of advancing Ohio's addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts now and into the future. The Foundation is governed by a 29-member board from across Ohio and is funded by 55 percent of settlement funds that Ohio is receiving from the pharmaceutical industry as a consequence of its role in the national opioid epidemic. Funds support local efforts to prevent and combat addiction and are also invested to support those efforts for the long term. To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
