State and Territory Approaches to Improving Care for Individuals Affected by Stimulant and Polysubstance Use

The Stimulant and Polysubstance Use Policy Academy provided states and territories with the opportunity to assess their current strategies and infrastructure for stimulant and polysubstance use using a comprehensive approach to address fatal and nonfatal overdoses through policy and programmatic changes.

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Stimulant and Polysubstance Use Policy Academy Final Report

Introduction

The drug overdose epidemic continues to worsen and has evolved over time. Many states are experiencing a resurgence in use and harms related to stimulants—particularly illicit stimulants—such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Although opioids—mainly synthetic opioids such as illicitly manufactured fentanyls—are currently the main driver of drug overdose crisis, deaths involving psychostimulants, especially methamphetamine, are increasing with and without opioid involvement.

As states and their leaders continue to address the drivers of drug overdose and substance use disorder, many are confronting challenges with illicit stimulant and polysubstance use that present new hurdles—including a lack of medications to treat stimulant use disorder and the complexity of treating polysubstance use disorders. Using the infrastructure and evidence-based strategies employed to address the ongoing opioid overdose crisis may help…