Nevada’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) proposal will improve the state’s ability to utilize data to drive decision making. Nevada will target three specific subpopulations to improve health outcomes; (1) those who have never encountered opioids; (2) those in need of a referral to substance abuse treatment and or other supportive services; and (3) hospitals, health systems and community resource agencies, such as harm reduction clinics providing care to individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder.
Nevada is applying for all required strategies and the two optional surveillance strategies (4,5). All 9 strategies in Nevada’s application satisfy 5 of the state’s goals for improved opioid surveillance, treatment and prevention priorities. These goals include,
• Improved decision making, resource allocation, and informed intervention strategies, based on improved quality and dissemination of fatal and nonfatal substance use and opioid use data,
• Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) that supports evidence-based prescribing practices and data sharing that supports improved patient care and health outcomes.
• Increased number of individuals referred for substance use and or opioid use treatment from a clinical or community-based setting.
• Communities in Nevada have an increased capacity to respond to opioids and substance use disorder, communities are better equipped to respond to the opioid-related crisis, and support individuals through recovery, and
• Increased awareness about opioid use, polydrug risk, and increased awareness about Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) stigma, and treatment and recovery support availability.
Nevada’s work towards these goals, through implementation of the nine selected strategies will reduce the number of new drug users; will increase the number of people with substance use disorder and/or opioid use disorder that are referred for treatment through clinical and community-based settings, and prescribers and health systems; and will increase the understanding of treatment resources and availability for people working within the target population settings.