ORN Spring 2022 #5 - The Fourth Wave: Addressing the Intertwined Fentanyl and Stimulant Overdose Crisis-Event Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this webinar, Dr. Daniel Ciccarone and Dr. Steven Shakta discuss the intertwined fentanyl and stimulant overdose crisis, specifically exploring the fourth wave of the opioid overdose crisis. Dr. Ciccarone discusses the history and epidemiology of overdose due to the four waves, which include the prescription pill overdose wave, the transition to heroin, and the rise of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. He also talks about the rise in mortality due to cocaine and psychostimulants. Dr. Ciccarone highlights the challenges in treating opioid use disorder in the context of fentanyl exposure, considering the long-acting nature of fentanyl in chronic users. He also expands on the concept of the goofball, the combination of methamphetamine and heroin, and explores the reasons behind intentional co-use of these drugs. Additionally, Dr. Ciccarone discusses different harm reduction measures such as overdose prevention with naloxone and drug checking to detect fentanyl contamination. He concludes with recommendations for addressing the overdose crisis, including comprehensive solutions that integrate supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction approaches. Overall, the webinar sheds light on the complexities of the current overdose crisis and offers insights into potential strategies for addressing it.

Keywords

webinar

fentanyl

stimulant overdose crisis

fourth wave

opioid overdose crisis

methamphetamine

heroin

harm reduction measures

overdose prevention

fentanyl contamination