Opioid symposium to tackle crisis

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

COEUR d’ALENE — Call it a communitywide effort to reduce the opioid crisis.

The Panhandle Health District will hold the second North Idaho Rx Opioid Solution Symposium on Oct. 10 at the Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d’Alene.

The event will feature a three-pronged approach, including sessions for:

- pain management providers from 10 a.m. to noon;

- professionals such as police, pharmacists, dentists, school representatives and mental health professionals from 1 to 5 p.m.; and

- the public from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

"We’ve broken the day into three sessions geared toward different populations, so everyone’s involvement is targeted to make the greatest impact," said Kelsey Orlando, of the PHD.

"We have sessions tailored for providers, professionals and the public as we realize this topic affects everyone in our community."

The public portion will feature two short films prior to a panel discussion.

The symposium is open to all community members who have an interest in reducing opioid misuse, abuse and overdose in the region.

According to the Office of Drug Policy, about 69,000 Idahoans 12 years and older misused pain relievers in the past year. Prescription drug arrests more than doubled between 2008 and 2016.

Idaho ranks fifth for pain-reliever misuse among ages 12 and older. The rate of drug-induced deaths has increased 30% during the past five years.

Post Falls Police Capt. Jason Mealer said his agency responded to three overdose calls from April to June in which the opioid nasal spray Narcan was used. Two of the subjects survived.

Two years ago, the police department started using the opioid "antagonist" as a tool when responding to such calls to counteract the effects of the overdose.

Mealer said it was going to take roundtable discussions such as the symposium involving everyone from law enforcement to pharmacists to drug court professionals to make a difference in the fight against opioid use.

"That's how problems are solved," he said.

Post Falls Police Capt. Greg McLean said many residents might not realize how prevalent opioid use is.

"We see it all the time," McLean said. "You've got to make people aware of it without causing panic."

After last year’s symposium, work groups were formed to focus on four goals to address the epidemic — harm reduction, prevention, access to treatment and community resources. Because of the momentum, Panhandle Health has expanded its reach and resources to address the crisis, health officials said.

For more information and to RSVP, contact Orlando at [email protected].