1. The Overdose Epidemic in RI:
The Scope of the Crisis and the State’s Response
Tom Coderre, Senior Advisor, Governor’s Office
Rhode Island Business Group on Health: Opioid Summit, June 8, 2018

2. Rhode Island’s Overdose Epidemic
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Rhode Island’s Overdose Epidemic
Year
Overdose deaths
Fentanyl-related overdose deaths
2011 94 7
2012
183
Fewer than 5 (2% of total)
2013
232 26
2014
240 84
2015
290
136
2016
336
195
2017
323
205 (63% of total)
Between 2017 and 2016, Rhode Island has seen a roughly 4% decrease in overdose deaths, though we saw an increase in the number of fentanyl-related overdose deaths during this time.

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Overdose Task Force
In 2015, Governor Raimondo convened an Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force in response to Rhode Island’s overdose crisis.
The Task Force developed an Overdose Action Plan focusing on: Prevention, Rescue, Treatment, and Recovery.
Initial efforts focused on infrastructure building. The Task Force is now in an implementation phase.

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Overdose Task Force
Sample of representation:
State & Local Governments
The RI General Assembly
Insurers
Health Equity Zones
Pharmacists
Law enforcement
Prevention community
Treatment Providers
Healthcare providers
Recovery community
Educators
Academics and researchers
EMS personnel
Healthcare facility administrators
Family members of people who are struggling or have passed

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Prevention Strategy
The best way to avoid the costly consequences of opioid misuse and addiction is to invest in effective prevention and early intervention to reduce its incidence.
Major initiatives:
Instituting limitations on most initial opioid prescriptions for acute Pain.
Developing Levels of Care for Treating Overdose and Opioid Use Disorder in Hospitals and Emergency Departments.

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Rescue Strategy
A sustainable source of naloxone for community and first responder distribution is key, as well as broad coverage of naloxone among patients at high risk of overdose.
Major initiatives:
Expanding access to naloxone throughout Rhode Island.
Targeting naloxone to individuals who are at highest risk (as well as their family and friends).

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Treatment Strategy
The combination of psychological/behavioral therapy and FDA- approved medications (i.e., methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone) is the most effective means of treating opioid use disorders and preventing opioid overdose.
Major initiatives:
Launching Centers of Excellence.
Providing medication-assisted treatment at the Department of Corrections.
Expanding access to medication-assisted treatment throughout Rhode Island.

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Recovery Strategy
Recovery support services play an important role in any management of chronic disease. Recovery housing, recovery-friendly employment, transportation, GED/life skills classes, mutual aid meetings, and recovery community centers are crucial to building recovery capital.
Major initiatives:
Training peer recovery specialists and placing them in strategic areas around the state (Emergency Depts, AnchorMore, etc.)
Launching an “Addiction is a Disease, Recovery is Possible” media campaign.

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Treatment & Recovery
Providence Safe Stations
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you can visit any of Providence’s 12 fire stations, speak with the trained staff on duty, and immediately get connected to treatment support and services.
(401) 942-STOP (7867)
Rhode Island’s 24/7 Hope & Recovery hotline with English and Spanish-speaking counselors licensed in chemical dependency.
PreventOverdoseRI.org
A public dashboard offering resources for people who may be at risk of overdose, healthcare professionals who would like to learn more about treating addiction, as well as concerned family members and friends.

10. Impact of the Overdose Crisis on Economy & Business
The crisis has had a huge impact on the economy and Rhode Island businesses.
Total cost on RI economy is hard to determine, but here are estimates:
Employers spent $2.6 billion in 2016 alone on opioid treatment.
Annual treatment costs to the state government are about $90 million in RI, though total could be much higher. (Boston Fed, 2018)
Crisis has cost the US economy over $1 trillion since 2001, and could cost another $500 billion between (Altarum, 2018)

11. Impact of the Overdose Crisis on Economy & Business
Source: Altarum Institute, 2018

12. Jobs Help People Recover
Employers are a critical partner in fighting the opioid crisis.
The three most often cited barriers for sustaining recovery are housing, education and employment.
Along with treatment and support from family, friends and the community, a job is one of the most effective tools for helping someone stay in recovery,
In addition to economic security, jobs provide people with a community and purpose.

13. Benefits of Hiring People in Recovery
Employers benefit when they hire people in recovery.
As the economy improves, some employers are often struggling to find the workers they need.
People in recovery can provide the worker talent that employers are looking for.
People in recovery are hard working, motivated and can bring diverse life experiences to a workplace.

14. Governor Raimondo’s Initiatives
The State is in the process of unveiling two new initiatives to support people in recovery who want to enter or re-enter the workforce:
Recovery-Friendly Workplaces: The State will convene a diverse array of business leaders and addiction specialists to come up with recommendations for how RI businesses can make themselves “recovery-friendly.”
Recovery Jobs Program: Using the State’s job training, apprenticeship, and supported employment programs, the State will start a new initiative that will help people in recovery get new skills for good- paying jobs.

15. Contact information
Tom Coderre, Senior Advisor
Office of Governor Gina Raimondo
Thank You!