The increased incidence of drug overdose deaths has garnered the attention of the American public due in large part to media coverage surrounding the opioid epidemic, which has reached record levels in recent years. In many municipalities across the nation, the number of deaths from drug overdose continues to climb (see Figure 1). The ArkLaTex region is not immune to these trends, and the effects of this epidemic can be felt throughout the communities in our area. Caddo Parish, which includes Shreveport, has experienced a marked increase in overdose deaths since late 2022 (see Figure 2).

Interestingly, the rate held steady through the COVID-19 pandemic but rose recently. Understanding this trend can be difficult, as many factors underpin these data.

A historic deal was reached in 2021 when attorneys general from around the country negotiated the terms of the $26 billion opioid settlement. Several pharmaceutical companies and distributors became responsible for paying out this substantial sum to local governments nationwide. These funds are designated to ensure they will provide for programs directly related to combatting the opioid crisis. This presents a unique opportunity for governments, public health officials, academic research centers and health care institutions to come together to create programs and services that will have a tangible impact on the addiction treatment landscape.

LSU Health Shreveport is poised to impact our region in the coming years significantly. The creation of the Louisiana Addiction Research Center (LARC) was a catalyst for addiction research at the university. Through LARC’s pipeline of groundbreaking research, the medical center aims to support a continuum of care that can provide valuable resources to the community. Key collaborations with local health care entities, including drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities, will support practical and effective addiction treatments. At the same time, efforts are made to further translational projects that seek to apply research findings in the clinical arena.

Figure 1: National Drug Overdose Deaths, 1999-2022 Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (nida.nih.gov)

Figure 2: Month-ending Provisional Counts of Drug Overdose Deaths for Caddo Parish, Louisiana Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov)

From the theoretical to the practical, efforts underway to help tackle the ongoing substance use issues plaguing our community are bound to have a genuine impact on individuals suffering from addictive disorders and those who care about them. As these programs develop, the goal would be to focus on education about new offerings to ensure that most individuals who need this help can readily access care. Although not limited to addressing substance use disorders, a Crisis Response Coalition was formed in recent years to address the mental health needs of the community. Dedicated individuals from various agencies meet regularly to coordinate providing care to our citizens in urgent need. Focusing on individuals in crisis will help provide a safety net for the most acute cases while efforts to enhance more routine substance abuse treatment are being cultivated.

I like to take any chance I have to educate others on the availability of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. By simply dialing “988,” the caller can be connected to a crisis center 24 hours a day. The ability to dial using three digits was rolled out nationwide in 2022, and the simplicity of this process has helped expand care in crisis situations.

Shawn McNeil, MD, FAPA, FASAM, is a clinical assistant professor, director of the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Residency Program and director of clinical research for the Louisiana Addiction Research Center at LSU Health Shreveport. He is also the associate CMO at Louisiana Behavioral Health.