Study: Philly could do better with preventive measures for opioid overdoses
(AP Photo
A new look at opioid-related overdose deaths tracked the rate of preventive services available in each Pennsylvania County. The study found Philadelphia has some work to do.
The report, by the Pennsylvania State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup, looked at three measures to prevent overdoses: take-back boxes, which are secure deposits for people to drop off unused prescription opioids, the availability of naloxone, a drug that can reverse an active overdose, and access to clinics that use opioid replacement therapies, like methadone.
Taking into account Philadelphia’s population, the researchers found that the city ranked in the lowest third among all Pennsylvania counties for both naloxone and take-back box availability.
Unlike some counties, Philadelphia does have clinics that offer two types of opioid replacement therapy, but the researchers did not evaluate whether there were enough resources to serve everyone who wanted help.
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