Published February 9, 2021 by GWW Staff
How technology can combat the increase in opioid use during the pandemic — examining successful approaches from agencies in Washington State, New Hampshire, and North Carolina.
Many people turn to substances in times of stress, and stats show that forced social isolation, anxiety, depression, and loss of income during the Covid-19 crisis has attributed to an uptick in issues related to opioid use. Agencies like The Doorway in New Hampshire report a 45% increase in requests for substance use services compared to a year ago.
Providing easy access to counseling and support is more vital than ever. However, many state agencies are struggling to connect people to the right resources. The Managing Opioids Issues white paper details some successful measures being employed by agencies in three states:
- Washington State: King County
- New Hampshire: The Doorway
- North Carolina: Project Lazurus
Examples in this paper focus on strategies agencies are using to adopt technology to meet current needs. Tech efforts include data dashboards that share information and deploy resources, and opioid/substance abuse resource websites and portals that increase awareness and connect disparate entities.
Find out how agencies are using these technologies in creative ways to stem the tide of increased substance use during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Learn more
- Connecting the Dots: How technology can bridge the gaps in opioid response during the pandemic, by Ravi Jackson
- Opioids Crisis Solutions Series Part 1: How opioids took America by surprise, and what states can do about it, by Ravi Jackson
- Opioids Crisis Solutions Series Part 2: Three opioid treatment models that states are using to save lives, by Ravi Jackson
- Opioids Crisis Solutions Series Part 3: How states find funding to stem the crisis, by Ravi Jackson
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