In this episode of Equal Dose, we dive deep into the overdose crisis, a pressing public health challenge in the United States. Host Autria Godfrey discusses the alarming statistics, the evolving drug supply, and the innovative strategies being deployed to save lives.

Featuring insights from:
- Dr. Allison Arwady, Director of the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, on the role of data in overdose prevention.

- Dr. Eric Wish and Erin Artigiani from the Center for Substance Use, Addiction, and Health Research, University of Maryland who reveal the impact of urinalysis programs and their potential to shape policy.

We also examine how public health interventions, harm reduction, and real-time data collection are making a tangible difference in reducing fatalities.
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Chapters:

Introduction
00:00:00 - Welcome to Equal Dose: Exploring health equity and better outcomes.
Overview of Overdose Prevention
00:00:27 - Topic introduction: Overdose prevention strategies and statistics.
Key Guests and Disclaimer
00:00:42 - Introducing Dr. Allison Arwady, Dr. Eric Wish, and Erin Artigiani.
00:01:07 - Podcast disclaimer about medical advice.
Rising Overdose Statistics
00:01:28 - Laila Rizvi shares insights on overdose fatalities and trends.
Hopeful Trends in Overdose Declines
00:02:52 - Discussion on a 10% decline in overdose fatalities since 2022.
CDC’s Approach to Overdose Prevention
00:03:30 - Dr. Arwady explains the CDC’s prevention and intervention strategies.
Data-Driven Prevention
00:05:24 - Importance of data in identifying overdose spikes and trends.
Case Study: New Jersey’s Overdose Response
00:09:19 - How local data-driven interventions reduced fatalities.
Emerging Drug Threats
00:11:41 - Medetomidine and other new substances in the drug supply.
Adapting Interventions for Diverse Communities
00:15:00 - Tailoring strategies to address different demographics and behaviors.
Predictive Analytics and Overdose Prevention
00:17:03 - Using predictive technologies to anticipate and prevent overdoses.
Youth Substance Use Prevention
00:20:27 - Progress in youth substance use and prevention strategies.
Future of Overdose Prevention
00:22:30 - Innovations on the horizon for overdose prevention efforts.
Urinalysis and the EDDS Program
00:25:25 - Dr. Wish explains the history and impact of the EDDS project.
Polysubstance Use and Policy Implications
00:29:03 - The challenges of addressing polysubstance use in public health.
Importance of Non-Stigmatizing Language
00:33:13 - How language affects treatment and recovery outcomes.
Challenges in Expanding EDDS
00:34:24 - Funding and implementation barriers for the EDDS program.
Collaborative Approaches to Substance Use Treatment
00:36:01 - Healthcare and community-based program collaborations.
Innovations in Data Application
00:38:00 - Developing toolkits and virtual communities for ED staff.
Closing Discussion
00:43:00 - Recap of challenges and successes in overdose prevention.
Looking Ahead
00:44:32 - Preview of the next episode: Rural health and polysubstance abuse.
Credits
00:45:02 - Acknowledgment of the production team.