Initiative launches opioid awareness campaign

HONOLULU — The Hawaii Opioid Initiative has launched its opioid awareness campaign, which encourages adults to find out their risk for opioid dependence by answering a few easy questions at bit.ly/2U6L2Km.

The HOI is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Department of Health.

“Many people don’t know that if you have been taking prescription opioid or narcotic pain medication for more than one week, you could be at risk for opioid dependence and not even know it,” said Director of Health Bruce Anderson. “Learning about the risk and about alternative treatment options is the first step to keeping you and your family safe.”

Last year, about 650,000 prescriptions for opioid or narcotic pain medication were dispensed in Hawaii.

The online questionnaire was developed with the goal of providing online resources based on the individual’s score. Based on the results, individuals will be referred to information on safer ways to treat pain, how to prevent an overdose, and treatment options that are available in Hawaii.

By providing an optional email address, responses will be emailed to the individual to facilitate a conversation with a doctor or health care professional. All responses and email addresses are confidential.

“This campaign is one of many initiatives currently happening to curb opioid dependence in Hawaii,” said Eddie Mersereau, deputy director of Behavioral Health Administration. “Future campaigns will hone-in on specific priority populations and subgroups who are most at risk of dependence and overdose.”

Since the HOI was launched in 2017, there have been more than 120 overdose reversals from administration of Naloxone in the last year.

Hawaii’s opioid death rates have historically been lower than the national rate, but through 2018, the incidence of drug-related deaths in the state has surpassed traffic fatalities.