HPIO launches addiction evidence project

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has released the first two tools from its Addiction Evidence Project. A policy brief titled “Addiction Overview and Project Description” sets the foundation for the project by describing the basics of addiction and a framework for a comprehensive policy response. HPIO also has released an evidence resource page on prevention, treatment and recovery.

Addiction is a complex problem at the root of many of Ohio’s greatest health challenges, including drug overdose deaths. Ohio policymakers have responded to the addiction crisis with many policy changes, primarily focusing on opiate addiction. HPIO is launching the Addiction Evidence Project to provide policymakers and other stakeholders with information needed to evaluate Ohio’s policy response to the opiate crisis, and accelerate and continually improve strategies to address substance use disorders in a comprehensive, effective and efficient way.

HPIO plans to post three types of tools on the HPIO Addiction Evidence Project website:

• Evidence resource pages: Hubs for clinical standards and guidelines, expert consensus statements and recommendations, model policies and evidence registries
• Policy inventories: Lists of Ohio legislation, regulations, funding allocation amounts, practice guidelines, state agency initiatives and legislative initiatives
• Policy scorecards: Analysis of strengths and gaps in Ohio’s policy response to addiction