The District of Columbia is at the center of an opioid epidemic
with fatal drug overdoses increasing by over 200% from 2014- 2017. To address
these often fatal consequences of the opioid crisis, the District has
implemented a multi-disciplinary response, identifying best practices and
strategies for communities in addressing this epidemic. The presenter will
provide a broad epidemiological profile of fatal and non-fatal opioid
overdoses, a summary of the pharmacology of opioids and appropriate responses
to emergency overdoses.