title: Strategies and policies to address the opioid epidemic: A case study of Ohio.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the strategies and policies implemented in Ohio to improve opioid safety and to discuss the role that pharmacists can play in implementing, promoting, and enhancing the effectiveness of these policies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ohio has the fifth highest rate of drug overdose deaths (24.6 deaths per 100,000) in the United States. Unintentional drug overdose has become the leading cause of injury-related death in Ohio. In 2015, there were 3050 overdose deaths in Ohio, and in 2014 there were an estimated 12,847 overdose events reversed by emergency medical services with naloxone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  In 2011, the Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team was created to implement a multifaceted strategy, in part (1) to promote the responsible use of opioids, (2) to reduce the supply of opioids, and (3) to support overdose prevention and expand access to naloxone. Innovations to assist these goals include the development of Ohio guidelines on the responsible use of opioids, mandatory use of Ohio's prescription drug monitoring program, closing pill mills, promotion of drug take-back programs and increased access to naloxone and public health campaigns.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Since the development of the Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team, there were 81 million fewer doses of opioids dispensed to Ohio patients in 2015 compared with 782 million doses dispensed in 2011. As such, the proportion of unintentional drug overdose deaths involving prescription opioids has reduced from 45% in 2011 to 22% in 2015.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strong political support was crucial in Ohio to facilitate the rapid implementation opioid overdose prevention programs and the promotion of public awareness campaigns. However, the misuse and abuse of prescription opioids are complex problems requiring a comprehensive and multifaceted approach. Pharmacists are identified as a crucial component of the state strategy to addressing opioid abuse by promoting responsible prescribing and adopting prevention practices.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Penm
authors.forename: Neil J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: MacKinnon
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciaccia
authors.forename: Cameron
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McNamee
authors.forename: Erin L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Winstanley
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024382:Professional Role; D011634:Public Health
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone