Iowa’s death rate from opioid overdoses is lower than many states, but it is increasing. A new study from the University of Iowa’s Injury Prevention Research Center presents ideas for getting ahead of this trend.
Carri Casteel, with the Injury Prevention Research Center, says Iowa is investing in community recovery centers that will fill a gap between initial in-patient treatment and being healthy over the longer term. "They also provide peer support and they also provide support that addresses unemployment and homelessness and food issues," said Casteel.
Casteel says rural Iowa clinicians may also need help if they don’t have experience prescribing some of the medications that help wean a person off opioids.
Guests:
Barbara St. Marie, Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa
Carri Casteel, Associate Director for the University of Injury Prevention Research Center
