In 2019, nearly 71,000 people died from drug overdoses, making it a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. Of those deaths, over 70% involved a prescription or illicit opioid. Drug overdose deaths continue to increase in the United States.
Essential Measures
Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Toolkit for Connecticut
Local governmental health departments in Connecticut focus on promoting health and equity, combating disease, and improving the quality of life for all residents. With an increased understanding that substance misuse is both a chronic disease and a public health issue, local health departments and districts are playing a growing leadership role in addressing the opioid epidemic on the community level. The following toolkit was created to better equip local health department staff to respond to this epidemic in the towns and cities they serve and to provide a one-stop reference guide of programs, promising practices, and other valuable resources related to the opioid crisis.
10 Essentials Services Framework
ES 1: Monitor Health
ES 2: Diagnose & Investigate
ES 3: Inform, Educate, Empower
ES 4: Mobilize Community Partnerships
ES 5: Develop Policies & Plans
ES 6: Enforce Laws
ES 7: Link To / Provide Care
ES 8: Assure Competent Workforce
ES 9: Evaluate
ES 10: Research
For more information about the national epidemic, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
