The Changing Face of Substance Use: Drug Trends and Threats in New England-Slides

Slides

Pdf Summary

The document outlines current drug trends and threats in New England, detailing contributions from the Opioid Response Network (ORN) and the notable observations of Robert "Bobby" Lawlor Jr., a Drug Intelligence Officer for New England HIDTA. The focus is on combating the opioid crisis and stimulant use by supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery efforts. ORN provides community assistance through local consultants and technical support for educational and training needs, facilitated by regional experts.<br /><br />The text highlights a significant shift in the drug market post-2013, emphasizing a rise in poly-substance use, which has led to increased overdose deaths. This change marks a departure from the relatively stable pre-2013 market, where single substance use was more common. New synthetic drugs contribute to the complex mixture of substances found in modern street drugs. Key contributors to these overdoses include fentanyl and its analogs, cocaine, methamphetamine, and xylazine, a veterinary sedative.<br /><br />Xylazine and other substances like medetomidine, carfentanil, and BTMPS (a newly identified adulterant) are elements of concern due to their intensifying impact on drug toxicity and overdose potential. Objective data from various Connecticut sources track these trends, with hopes of informed responses through projects like community drug checking, aimed at understanding drug supply at micro and macro levels. This initiative provides real-time insights into illicit drug compositions, empowering public health and safety interventions.<br /><br />The document also spotlights the dangers of fake pills, which often contain fentanyl or methamphetamine. Misleading as legitimate medications, such fake pills exacerbate the risk of overdoses, as many users are unaware of the actual contents. The report closes with additional context on community responses, surveillance methods, and invitations to partake in evaluation surveys to improve the ongoing drug crisis management efforts.

Keywords

Opioid Response Network

New England HIDTA

opioid crisis

poly-substance use

fentanyl

xylazine

drug checking

synthetic drugs

fake pills

overdose prevention