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Background: Increases in fatal synthetic opioid overdoses over the past 8 years have left states scrambling for effective means to curtail these deaths. Many states have implemented policies and increased service capacity to address this rise. To better understand the effectiveness of policy level interventions we estimated the impact of the presence of naloxone access laws (NALs) on synthetic opioid fatalities at the state level. Methods: A multivariable longitudinal linear mixed model with a random intercept was used to determine the relationship between the presence of NALs and synthetic opioid overdose death rates, while controlling for, Good Samaritan laws, opioid prescription rate, and capacity for medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), utilizing a quadratic time trajectory. Data for the study was collected from the National Vital Statistics System using multiple cause-of-death mortality files linked to drug overdose deaths. Results: The presence of an NAL had a significant (univariate P -value =.013; multivariable p-value =.010) negative relationship to fentanyl overdose death rates. Other significant controlling variables were quadratic time (univariate and multivariable P -value <.001), MOUD (univariate P -value <.001; multivariable P -value =.009), and Good Samaritan Law (univariate P -value =.033; multivariable P -value =.018). Conclusion: Naloxone standing orders are strongly related to fatal synthetic opioid overdose reduction. The effect of NALs, MOUD treatment capacity, and Good Samaritan laws all significantly influenced the synthetic opioid overdose death rate. The use of naloxone should be a central part of any state strategy to reduce overdose death rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study employed a static group comparison design with 106 men in residential treatment to examine the relationship of race to treatment retention. Methods: A retrospective analysis of retention, by race, including survival analysis, was undertaken. Results: Findings from the study indicated that (a) Caucasian men complete treatment more frequently than African American men, (b) Race was not predictive of time in treatment, and (c) that race was a factor in the receipt of both criminal justice coercion and case-management both of which were strong predictors of time in treatment. Conclusions: Race serves as a factor in the receipt of services related to retention. Future research should focus on further exploration how race impacts retention, and the interaction of race with coercion and the receipt of case-management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This article provides an evaluation of a federally funded faith-based program that serves African Americans who use heroin and cocaine and are at risk for HIV/AIDS in Nashville, Tennessee. Methods: Data were collected from 163 individuals at baseline and 6- and 12-month follow-up interviews. A subset of participants (n = 51) completed all three interviews. Results: Results suggested that this culturally relevant set of interventions was successful in reducing substance use and HIV/AIDS risk behaviors. The program was able to show data that supported the efficacy of a faith-based approach emphasizing spirituality rather than directive, aggressive, authoritarian, or coercive counseling techniques. Discussion: The model is important to the continued development of culturally relevant interventions that are vital to decreasing the disproportionate rates of HIV/AIDS within the African American community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]