Drug-induced deaths have increased in Idaho since 2010, but an updated report shows that the state remains slightly lower than the national average for this number. In 2016, the most recent year for which confirmed data is available, Idaho ranked 36th in the age-adjusted rate of drug-induced deaths by state, according to the Idaho Opioid Needs Assessment, which was released today by the Division of Behavioral Health.
A couple other highlights from the report include:
- Since reaching a peak in 2010-2012, several indicators appear to show a modest decrease in non-heroin opiate/synthetic use in Idaho over recent years.
- However, in 2016 Idaho was above the national average for the rate of opioids dispensed per 100,000 population and many indicators suggest that Idaho has experienced a significant increase in heroin use over the past decade.
In addition to information regarding opioid use and death rates and prescribing practices, this report also contains data regarding treatment needs in Idaho, availability of Medication Assisted Treatment, prevention efforts, recovery support initiatives, and policies and legislation proposed or enacted in Idaho related to the opioid overdose, as well as a variety of other topics. Much of the data is at the county-level.
“This report is very informative and helps us identify high-risk/high-need areas across the state,” said Rosie Andueza, Substance Use Disorder Program manager. “With this information, we are better able to target our activities and interventions. We are hopeful that others will also find this data useful in the work that they do to fight the opioid epidemic in Idaho.”
Read the full report here.
The Division of Behavioral Health is one of eight divisions in the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
DHW Voice 
In addition to fighting the stigma of addiction, why not fight the stigma of being an opioid patient. My chronic pain is a disease which requires day to day management with opioids in addition to longer term therapies like PT, massage, etc. What about cancer patients who are in tremendous pain, they have must definitely earned the right to take opioids for their pain in peace. Long story short, stigma is running high for patients who use opioids regularly in order to remain highly functioning members of society.
I agree this is an issue state wide. Child welfare is seeing an increased case load of parents with opioid addiction. We is the funding to serve these families being cut so much?
Child and Family Services continues to prioritize substance treatment and will further explore options to make sure families receive quality treatment who need it. There was a shortfall in the amount of funding available for substance treatment for families, but we expect that to change moving forward. Substantial funding has been allocated for child welfare clients in state fiscal year 2020, which begins July 1, 2019. Funding is available now through Idaho’s Response to the Opioids Crisis (IROC) program for parents needing treatment for an addiction to opioids. The Division of Family and Community Services also has available additional treatment funding for parents who do not qualify for treatment through other programs.