The U.S. is in the grips of an opioid epidemic with an estimated 2.1 million people suffering from opioid addiction. The Bree Collaborative — a group appointed by the governor representing clinical leaders from purchasers, providers and state agencies — approved the Collaborative’s Opioid Workgroup and charter on Jan 20. The workgroup, consisting of clinicians, state employees and policy experts, will look to facilitate implementation of the State Agency Medical Directors Opioid Prescribing Guidelines. These guidelines are intended to reduce the abuse and misuse of opioids.
The workgroup will also address ways to better engage the dental community in efforts to reduce the duration and dose of opioids for acute pain while exploring a pilot program to improve reporting and feedback of overdose events to primary care providers.
Please refer to the Bree Collaborative’s website for more information, or contact Ian Corbridge at ianc@wsha.org or (206) 216-2514. (Ian Corbridge)
