Pharmacist-led fentanyl test strip education and distribution for Veterans in substance use treatment: A quality improvement project

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Unregulated fentanyl use is driving overdose deaths, and fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a tool to support overdose risk reduction. This quality improvement …

Policy change to save lives: A pilot investigation into policy change for addressing disparities within care settings for overdose prevention in Veterans

Abstract: More than 4.4 million Veterans live in rural America, where older age, limited health care access, and social determinants of health—including distance, transportation, …

Emergency department visits, inpatient hospitalizations, and nonfatal and fatal drug overdoses during COVID-19 among Veterans with opioid use disorder

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic had dramatic adverse impacts on people with opioid use disorder (OUD), as evidenced by significant disruptions to care and unprecedented …

Drug overdose deaths among homeless Veterans in the United States Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system

Abstract: Background and aims: With an epidemic of drug overdoses, contemporary research is needed to examine drug overdose deaths among homeless populations. This study measured …

Risk of Adverse Outcomes Among Veterans Who Screen Positive for Traumatic Brain Injury in the Veterans Health Administration But Do Not Complete a Comprehensive Evaluation: A LIMBIC-CENC Study

Abstract: Objective: To examine whether post-9/11 veterans who screened positive for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) but did not complete a Comprehensive TBI Evaluation (CTBIE) …

Geography, rurality, and community distress: Deaths due to suicide, alcohol-use, and drug-use among Colorado Veterans

Abstract: Background: In the USA, deaths due to suicide, alcohol, or drug-related causes (e.g., alcohol-related liver disease, overdose) have doubled since 2002. Veterans appear …