Sharing strategies to battle the opioid epidemic

By Brian Wilson, DC, BWC Medical Projects Director

How do we make headway in combating the opioid epidemic? The fact is there are many answers to that question. We’ve learned here in Ohio that tackling this issue must be a collaborative effort, and we can all learn from each other.

I know from my work with the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) that my counterparts in other states feel the same.

The IAIABC is an international association of workers’ comp agencies and industry stakeholders. BWC regularly engages IAIABC and its members, leaders at similar agencies across the country, to discuss policy and regulatory issues that affect the workers’ comp industry. One of those leading issues is the opioid epidemic.

I have the honor of working closely with IAIABC and its executive director, Jennifer Wolf-Horejsh, as a member of its Medical Issues Committee. The committee gathers information on how local and state agencies are managing important issues like the use of formularies, drug educational materials and prescription drug monitoring programs.

In June 2018, Ms. Wolf-Horejsh and I had the privilege of speaking at Ohio’s 2018 Opiate Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Here, we gave a glimpse into preliminary findings of the report to-date and compared Ohio to other states for those who attended.

Most recently, I sat on the Opioid Task Force, a multi-state collaborative effort that recently released the Opioid Policy Inventory a compilation of survey data from 33 states and their responses to the opioid epidemic. The report is a summary of major strategies, including which states are using them, along with links to national resources.

Understanding the incredible reach of this issue, and that everyone with a stake in this crisis can learn from each other, the report provides not just a workers’ compensation perspective, but a collective look at what a variety of local and state agencies are doing. Our goal is to create a dynamic and collaborative conversation starter piece for policy-makers across the country.

This report is important because it allows states to review strategies that are working elsewhere and they may be able to replicate. It could also stimulate fresh ideas. Thanks to all the outstanding committee members whom I served alongside during the development of this document.

I hope you’ll take the time to review the report* and use it as a reference, especially if you’re involved in efforts to ease the impact of this epidemic in your community.

*This is a living report and it will be updated as states report new strategies to the IAIABC.