Roadmap to Ending Mississippi’s Opioid Epidemic -

The American Medical Association (AMA) and Manatt Health are undertaking an in-depth analysis of four states’ responses to the opioid epidemic to identify best practices and next steps where further action is needed. In the first 2 spotlight analyses, we highlighted efforts by Pennsylvania and Colorado in 3 areas: substance use disorder treatment, pain management, and efforts to increase access to naloxone. In this spotlight analysis of Mississippi’s response to the epidemic, we analyze the state’s efforts in the same 3 areas, and supplement our analysis with examples from Pennsylvania and Colorado to show where Mississippi has accomplished less and could benefit from considering best practices from other states. Highlights from Mississippi are described below.

Where the State Is Succeeding:

..Expanding naloxone access. The state’s efforts to expand naloxone access, including a standing order and a Good Samaritan law, have saved lives. Over 2000 lives were saved by emergency medical services using naloxone in 2017...