A 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report found that since 1996, overdose prevention initiatives have saved more than 10,100 lives and continue to reduce deaths due to opiod overdoses.

Despite this, Rhode Island experienced 239 overdose deaths in 2014 with some of the highest recorded illicit drug use per-capita in the country, according to a reports published by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The report, titled “The Facts Hurt: A State-by-Sate Injury Prevention Policy Report,” ranked Rhode Island as having the seventh-highest rate of overdose death in America, with overdoses accounting for more deaths than car accidents, murder or suicide.

Rhode Island’s overdose death rate is 19.4 per 100,000 people, 6 points higher than the national average of 13.4.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and Gov. Gina Raimondo held a round table discussion Monday morning, June 22, with Rhode Island State Police Col. Steven O’Donnell, Rhode Island Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott and Maria Montanaro, director of the state Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH), to discuss the epidemic and strategies to combat it. The gathering took place at BHDDH’s Cranston offices.

All agreed that tackling the complex issues of overdoses and addiction will require collaboration from every level of government and various agencies.

“This is a very serious epidemic,” Reed said. “Overdose deaths is a national phenomenon, and unfortunately it is more serious in Rhode Island.”

Although Rhode Island is leading in overdose deaths for the country, the state is also a leader in some overdose and addiction prevention initiatives, such as equipping law enforcement and other first responders with Narcan, a drug that reverses the effects of an overdose when given in a timely manner. Narcan is also available for purchase at Rhode Island Walgreens locations.

Tuesday in Washington, D.C., Reed planned on introducing the Overdose Prevention Act, which would improve access to Narcan, encourage prevention programs and increase surveillance of occurrences.

To do so, the legislation would have the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services award grants to public health organizations and community-based agencies under the condition that they purchase and distribute Narcan and implement overdose prevention initiatives with first responders, prescribers and pharmacists.

“We need to get Narcan in the hands of professionals; this can literally save lives,” Reed said.

O’Donnell said initially there was some “push back” when the state police were first equipped and trained with Narcan kits, in fear that it would enable addicts to continue.

“But none of them want to be addicts,” he said.

After only two weeks with the kits, one officer had “a save” with Narcan. When he saw the life-saving ability of the drug, that same officer promoted the program to others. He felt that other law enforcement departments across the nation would benefit from Narcan kits as well.

Reed categorized the legislation as a “defensive mechanism” that can “help states help themselves.” He said the issue is about more than just decreasing overdose deaths, but addressing the issue of addiction as a whole.

Raimondo said addiction is a complex issue that cuts across socioeconomic groups.

“The reality is no one has figured out a solution,” she said.

Even children can become addicted without even realizing it, she said. She cited the example of a star athlete who gets an injury or a high school student getting their wisdom teeth out, and being prescribed painkillers.

“These kids can get hooked without even knowing it, and that’s the beginning of addiction,” she said.

Raimondo said she is committed to the issue until “we have better results. Addiction is treatable.”

Scott agreed, saying not only is treatment available, but “recovery is possible.” She commended Reed’s effort to increase the accessibility of Narcan because to treat addiction.

Scott noted that the Department of Health is working closely with pharmacies and health care providers on recognizing addiction.

With prescription monitoring programs (PMPs), both parties are better equipped at recognizing when a patient is at risk for addiction and overdose by providing a more complete picture of a patient’s history.

HEALTH is also encouraging health care providers to screen and test patients for risk of addiction, and to use an opiate addiction treatment known as Suboxone.

Reed cautioned a comprehensive approach, because when prescriptions are made more difficult to obtain, patients may turn to “street drugs” without other forms of prevention and support.

Montanaro affirmed that it is also necessary to promote and fund pain centers as well peer support recovery models, and to help those patients with legitimate and chronic pain concerns manage their medication responsibly to avoid addiction.

To solve the issue of addiction and overdose, Montanaro said there is a need to “change the landscape” of addiction perception with major public policy campaigns geared toward awareness and education.

Using the example of smoking and how much public policy and awareness have decreased tobacco use, Montanaro said the public needs “to know just how dangerous these drugs are.”

These campaigns have been very successful in other ways O’Donnell said. Several years ago, public ad campaigns encouraging drivers to put down cell phone, wear a seat belt and not drink and drive have helped to dramatically reduce the death rate in for car crashes.

“A little money in public awareness will save lives in the long run,” Raimondo said.