Safe Prescribing Initiative

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Background

In 2021 the Emergency Medical Services responded to 6,664 suspected overdoses in Palm Beach County, and (3,157) 47.4% were opioid suspected.

Risk & Protective Factors

Risk Factors

Mental Health and Behavioral Issues
Environmental Issues
Early Substance Abuse
Community Norms Favorable toward Substance Use

Protective Factors

Mental Health and Behavioral Management Resources
Resources to Manage Immediate Environment
Resources to Prevent Early Substance Abuse
Community Programs to Increase Access to treatment and Prevention

Framework

The Safe Prescribing Initiative has mirrored the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health, established in 1997. The Safe Prescribing Initiative has followed the five operating principles for public health programs proposed within the 1997 framework. The operating principles are as follows:

To use science as the basis of decision-making and action.
To use public health action as a source to expand social equity.
To perform effectively as a service agency.
To make outcome-focused efforts.
To being accountable.

Desired Outcome

In 2021 the Emergency Medical Services responded to 6,664 suspected overdoses in Palm Beach County, and (3,157) 47.4% were opioid suspected.

Addiction to prescription opioids can happen to anyone at any time, which is why it is so important that we all work together to cease the exposure of our children to potential life altering opportunities to abuse prescription opioids. Ultimately, the Safe Prescribing Initiative’s goal is to keep our children and community safe from addiction by decreasing the number of opioid prescriptions per capita in Palm Beach County.