Technology plays a pivotal positive role in addressing the opioid epidemic by enhancing prevention, treatment, and monitoring efforts. Tools like Prescription Monitoring Programs (PMPs), telemedicine, and data analytics are crucial in tracking opioid prescriptions, improving access to treatment, and identifying at-risk populations. These innovations enable healthcare providers to monitor and prevent misuse, enhance patient care, and develop targeted public health strategies.
Technology Resources
Websites
Overdose Data to Action in States
This CDC webpage describes the "Overdose Data to Action in States" (OD2A) program, a cooperative agreement funding state health departments to enhance drug overdose surveillance and prevention efforts. It outlines the program's focus on using data to inform evidence-based prevention strategies, particularly for communities disproportionately affected by the overdose epidemic. The page also details required and optional surveillance and prevention strategies, emphasizing harm reduction, health equity, and culturally relevant interventions.
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs)
This CDC webpage provides an overview of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), electronic databases that track controlled substance prescriptions at the state level. It highlights PDMPs as crucial tools for improving opioid prescribing practices, informing clinical decisions, and supporting public health interventions. The page also discusses key features of PDMPs, such as real-time data access and ease of use, and offers resources for healthcare providers and states to maximize their effectiveness.
Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC)
The Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network is a multidisciplinary resource for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services field.
Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network
The Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network works to improve implementation and delivery of effective substance use prevention interventions, and provide training and technical assistance services to the substance misuse prevention field.
Tools & Resources
The Overdose Data to Action Program (OD2A)
The Overdose Data to Action Program (OD2A) supports the state in getting high quality, comprehensive and timelier data on opioid prescribing and mortality, and to use those data to inform the state’s prevention and interventions efforts. The Nevada OD2A Program is being administered by the Division of Public and Behavioral Health and involves partnerships that include the Nevada Board of Pharmacy, Washoe County Human Services, Washoe County Medical Examiner, Southern Nevada Health District, Family Support Center, and the Larson Institute at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health.
Bringing Prevention Virtual
The resources below were created by the PTTC Network to assist prevention professionals as they transition to delivering services and programming from face-to-face to virtual settings. Select the title of a resource to be redirected to view or download that resource. Additional resources will be added to this page as they are developed by our Network.
Posters & Infographics
Publications
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs: A Guide for Healthcare Providers
This guide explains prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), and how they can enhance clinical decision making. The guide also explains how PDMP improves patient safety, while helping to decrease prescription drug misuse and unintentional overdose deaths.
Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
This guide reviews ways that telehealth modalities can be used to provide treatment for serious mental illness and substance use disorders among adults, distills the research into recommendations for practice, and provides examples of how these recommendations can be implemented.
Webinars & Online Learning
Current News & Research
Provision of Digital Health Technologies for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment by US Health Care Organizations
Miller-Rosales C, Morden NE, Brunette MF, Busch SH, Torous JB, Meara ER. Provision of Digital Health Technologies for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment by US Health Care Organizations. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(7):e2323741. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.23741
Forbes: How Technology Can Help Combat The Opioid Epidemic
Cohen, R. (2022, February 4). How technology can help combat the opioid epidemic. Forbes.
FDA Innovation Challenge: Devices to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder
As part of important efforts to address the epidemic of opioid misuse and abuse, the FDA launched an innovation challenge on May 31, 2018, to spur the development of medical devices, including diagnostic tests and digital health technologies (mobile medical applications) to help combat the opioid crisis and achieve the goal of preventing and treating opioid use disorder.