UGA College of Pharmacy Gets $1M+ to Fight Opioid Crisis

UGA College of Pharmacy Gets $1M+ to Fight Opioid Crisis

Introduction

Faculty from the University of Georgia’s College of Pharmacy have been awarded a nearly $1.2 million grant from the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust to address the opioid epidemic in rural Georgia.

The initiative aims to empower community pharmacists

This two-year initiative aims to empower community pharmacists with essential training, resources, and support to combat opioid misuse, reduce stigma, and establish vital support networks for individuals at risk of overdose.

Alarming situation in Georgia

The project’s lead investigator and a lecturer in the Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy, highlighted the devastating impact of the opioid crisis, noting that over 650,000 Americans have died from opioid-related overdoses since 2000. In Georgia, the situation is particularly alarming. Between 2019 and 2021, the state experienced a 56% increase in drug overdose deaths, making overdoses the leading cause of death among young Georgians. Fentanyl-related deaths surged by 218% during the same period. A potent synthetic opioid, fentanyl is widely used for pain management but is increasingly being produced illegally, making it one of the leading causes of overdose deaths.

Project is a savior for the community

To address this crisis, the project will collaborate with at least 50 rural community pharmacists, providing them with specialized training and financial support to distribute naloxone—a life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. Additionally, the initiative will focus on educating patients and their families about substance use, harm-reduction strategies, and available treatment options while connecting them to local support services.

Benefits of the program

The Georgia Pharmacy Association CEO, a project collaborator, emphasized the crucial role of pharmacists in this initiative. “Community pharmacists can be catalysts for change. Through education and outreach, they can empower individuals struggling with addiction and their families by increasing awareness, promoting harm-reduction strategies, and linking them to critical resources. This program has the potential to transform patient care across the state.”

Other professionals involved in the initiative

The project also includes contributions from a postdoctoral researcher and a professor from the College of Pharmacy. Together, the team aims to create a sustainable framework for opioid crisis intervention in Georgia’s rural communities.