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An ‘equal opportunity killer’

Opioids a nationwide epidemic on the rise

Iowa Poison Control Center Executive Director Linda Kalin makes a point during her presentation of “Opioids: An Equal Opportunity Killer,” Thursday at the Marshalltown Public Library.

Drug overdoses in the United States is on the rise, and kills more people in the nation than car crashes.

It is a national scourge, cutting across education and income levels, with no respect for geography or ethnicity.

Many pill addicts have converted to heroin use.

Those were several key takeaways from Linda Kalin’s presentation Thursday at the Marshalltown Public Library.

She is executive director of the Iowa Poison Control Center in Sioux City.

Her nearly two-hour presentation on how opioid use developed into a national crisis easily earned the attention of an audience of approximately 70, ranging from law enforcement to substance abuse counselors to health care professionals.

“We have a good cross-section of the community here,” said Vicki Lewis, executive director of Substance Abuse Treatment Unit of Central Iowa (SATUCI is a not-for-profit, state-funded, community based agency which has provided substance abuse prevention and treatment services to Hardin, Marshall, Tama and Poweshiek residents. It is headquartered in Marshalltown).

Before getting into the heart of her presentation, Kalin cited the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force, Marshalltown Police Department and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office for their concerted efforts in partnership with SATUCI to reduce prescription drug abuse by offering prescription drug drop-off boxes at two convenient locations. The MPD drop-off box at 22 N. Center St. has been in use since August of 2014, and processed 1,058 pounds of prescription medications and other products, like vitamins. The MCSO drop box was installed in the lobby of the MCSO/Marshall County Jail approximately one year ago, and has processed 20 pounds of medication.

Kalin analyzed several factors that led to prescription drug abuse. Cited were abuse of opioids (painkillers) such as hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone (Oxycontin), melded with abuse of sedatives. Included in that group are popular medications Xanax and Valium. Also factored in are stimulants prescribed for Attention Defect Hyperactivity Disorder. Adderall, Ritalin and Vyanse.

• Opioid use and abuse has increased markedly since 1990.

• Mid 1990s — belief clinicians failed to assess pain and provide relief

• 2001 campaign “pain as the 5th vital sign”

• New time-release opioids on the market. Claims to be nearly addiction proof and 12-hour coverage would avoid withdrawal.

• Rapid rise in prescription opioids sold in U.S.

Kalin said there are new Center Disease Control prescription guidelines designed to combat the problem.

• Use non-opioid therapies first.

• Do not use opioids routinely for chronic pain

• Assess risks and address harms

• Prescribe lowest effective dose, “Three days or less will often be sufficient.”

• Avoid prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines

Following Kalin was Dr. Nicole Gastala of Primary Health Care with a presentation on Medicated Assisted Treatment for Opioids. Primary Health Care, SATUCI/Youth Partners, and UnityPoint Health sponsored the free of charge event. Anyone seeking help or advice regarding substance abuse issues, should contact SATUCI at 641-752-5421. For more information about heroin and opioid dependency treatment options in Iowa, visit Iowa Department Public Health Medication Assisted Treatment website at idph. iowa,gov/mat.

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Contact Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com

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