June 24, 2021
Carson
City, NV
– Today, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced that he will appoint
eight members for his Substance Use Response Working Group. The Nevada Legislature recently passed Assembly Bill (AB) 374, creating this Working
Group within the Attorney General’s Office.
The
purpose of the Working Group is to develop recommendations to improve Nevada's
substance use prevention and response efforts. Appointed members will study
evidence-based strategies in prevention and intervention, and evaluate the
effect of substance use on Nevada's criminal justice system, educational
institutions, and the economy.
“Substance
abuse is not an easy problem to tackle, and I’m looking for Nevadans who are
experts in their field to join me in this important effort,” said AG Ford.
“Health challenges, job loss, food insecurity, and isolation may be
contributing to the spike in opioid overdoses both here at home and all over
the country this past year, and I’m eager to work alongside members of my
Substance Use Response Working Group to educate the community and improve our
response to opioid abuse.”
According to a February, 2021 report by the Nevada
Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Analytics, Nevada saw a
larger number of opioid overdose deaths in 2020 at 484 than what was previously
considered the peak in 2011 of 460 overdose deaths. Nevada is not alone in
this increase due to a variety of factors and stressors including those
associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Nevada experienced a 40%
increase in opioid related overdose deaths than in 2019, increasing from 374 to
484. The largest increase in overdose deaths was attributed to synthetic
opioids, primarily fentanyl, with 246 of the 484 overdose deaths involving
synthetic opioids.
Synthetic opioid overdose deaths now account for over 50% of
opioid related overdose deaths in Nevada. Fentanyl related overdose deaths
increased six-fold since 2010 from 39 to 246 in 2020. Fentanyl is now found in
a range of illicit substances, including methamphetamine and pressed
counterfeit pills. Most individuals are unaware that their drug supply may
contain fentanyl. In 2020, the Nevada High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
saw a 28% increase in drug related overdose deaths in Nevada. Methamphetamine
continues to be a top drug threat to users in Nevada, and fentanyl related
overdoses are significantly increasing at an alarming rate.
The
Working Group will consist of the following members:
A
healthcare provider with expertise in medicine for the treatment of substance
use disorders;
An
advocate for persons who have substance use disorders and family members of
such persons;
One
person who is in recovery from a substance use disorder;
One
person who provides services relating to the treatment of substance use
disorders;
One
representative of a substance use disorder prevention coalition;
One
representative of a program to reduce the harm caused by substance
misuse;
One
representative of a hospital; and
One
representative of a school district.
Members
are appointed for 2-year terms and not compensated for their time.
Those
interested in serving should email our office at AGInquiries@ag.nv.gov with their name, contact information,
and indicate which category they are eligible for.
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