Opioid Toolkit
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) drug overdoses are the leading injury-related cause of death in the United States and the numbers have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drug overdose deaths increased by 31% from 2019 to 2020, the number of deaths exceeded 100,000 in the 12 month period ending in April 2021. Among the 2020 overdose deaths, an estimated 75% involved opioids. In an effort to combat the opioid epidemic, many organizations created specific resources to provide information to opioid prescribers as well as the general public. Use NCSBN’s toolkit to access those materials.
Guidelines

These guidelines are provided by outside organizations with a focus on safe prescribing of opioids. NCSBN does not endorse or recommend the material listed below, but provides these guidelines as a reference for professionals.
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November 2022
Professional Education

These educational resources are provided by outside organizations with a focus on safe prescribing practices. NCSBN does not endorse or recommend the material listed below, but sees these offerings as opportunities for education of prescribing professionals and the general public.
APRN Opioid Prescribing
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Source: SAMHSA
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Source: PCSS
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Source: CMS
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Source: ASPMN
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Source: PCSS
Opioid Addiction and Overdose Prescribing
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Source: PCSS-O
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Source: IntNSA
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Source: PCSS
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Source: SAMHSA
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Source: APNA
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Source: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Nonopioid Treatment for Pain
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Source: CDC
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Source: Mayo Clinic
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Source: NIH
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Source: IHS
Resources

These educational resources are provided by outside organizations with a focus on education resources, prevention and ongoing research. NCSBN does not endorse or recommend the material listed below, but sees these offerings as opportunities for education of prescribing professionals and the general public.
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Source: The Commonwealth Fund
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Source: CDC
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Source: HHS
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Source: PCSS
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Source: HHS
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Source: SAMHSA
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Source: Emergency Nurses Association
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Source: NIHCM
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Source: NIDA
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Source: ODPHP
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Source: BU School of Medicine
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Source: PDFK

Free Substance Use Disorder CEs
The International Center for Regulatory Scholarship (ICRS) is offering FREE online substance use disorder CE courses for nurses.