DACS Digest August 2025

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Bringing DC healthcare providers the latest news, events, and resources to improve care for patients with substance use disorders and chronic pain management.

August 2025

Dear DACS Provider,

Welcome to the August edition of the DACS Digest monthly newsletter!

August is a significant month for substance use awareness. Communities throughout the District and nationally will acknowledge two important days: National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day on August 21 and International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31.

National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day offers a crucial opportunity to educate individuals about the dangers of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, and to provide communities with vital resources aimed at preventing fentanyl overdose.

As we approach International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, our collective efforts to combat substance use take on even greater significance. This day is a crucial moment to remember those lost to overdose – including 80,391 overdose deaths reported in 2024 – and promote access to treatment and recovery.

Providers can access support in caring for patients with SUDs and chronic pain by scheduling an individualized consultation or registering for an upcoming training with the DACS team of addiction medicine specialists by calling 1-866-337-DACS (3227) or visiting www.districtdacs.org.

Explore this newsletter and the additional resources and tools available on the DACS website for additional information about provider education and treatment resources.

Sincerely,

The DACS Team

Education

Upcoming DACS Trainings

DACS Webinar

Controlled Substance Deprescribing: A Patient Centered Approach

Wednesday, September 17 | 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Upcoming Trainings of Interest

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

The Science of Addiction and Recovery – A Father’s Perspective

Thursday, August 14 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals

Suicide and Substance Use Disorders: A Current Epidemic

Wednesday, August 20 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

CA Bridge

Overdose Prevention & Community Outreach

Thursday, August 21 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Benefits of acute aerobic exercise to ameliorate craving and risky decision-making in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder

This study highlighted the benefits of acute aerobic exercise for individuals with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). The research found that even a single session of moderate-intensity aerobic activity can effectively reduce methamphetamine craving and improve decision-making functions that are often impaired by MUD. These improvements in cognitive functions, such as impulsive and short-sighted decision-making, suggest that acute exercise holds promise as a valuable non-pharmacological intervention to help manage core symptoms and potentially lower the risk of relapse in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder.

United States trends in non-prescribed use of Adderall and Ritalin: Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study estimates from 2013 to 2022

A recent study investigated trends in the non-prescribed use of stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin in the United States, utilizing data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study from 2013 to 2022. Overall, the research found no significant change in the prevalence of past 12-month non-prescribed stimulant use. However, when examining different age groups, young adults aged 18 to 24 consistently showed a much higher prevalence of non-prescribed use compared to other cohorts, though their rates had notably declined in more recent survey waves.

Use of Tobacco and Cannabis Following State-Level Cannabis Legalization

A large, U.S.-based cohort study evaluated how legalization of recreational cannabis impacts tobacco smoking, e-cigarette use, and cannabis use among adults (18+). After recreational cannabis legalization, there was a measurable increase in cannabis consumption among adults over 5 years. The study found no significant shifts in cigarette smoking or e-cigarette use related to cannabis legalization. These results suggest that making recreational cannabis legal may encourage its own use but do not appear to increase the use of tobacco products.

Parental Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health Care Use Among Children With Sickle Cell Disease

This cross-sectional study examined the association between parental adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and healthcare utilization among children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Conducted at a single children's hospital and involving 72 caregivers, the research found that higher parental ACEs scores and lower parental resilience were significantly linked to increased emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions for their children with SCD. Specifically, children of caregivers with high ACEs risk or lower resilience had more ED visits and admissions. The study emphasizes the importance of screening caregivers for ACEs and assessing their resilience to provide more effective trauma-informed care for families managing chronic conditions like SCD.

Holidays and Observances

Holidays

DACS Phone Line Will Be Closed

September 1 – Labor Day

August Observances

National Health Center Week

August 3 – August 9

National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

August 21

International Overdose Awareness Day

August 31

Relevant Resources

DACS Fact Sheet: Adolescents and Substance Use

Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Disorders in Pregnant and Postpartum Patients

A screening and resource guide for healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers in the District of Columbia, prepared by the MedStar Health National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare.

Opioid Use Disorder During and After Pregnancy

A patient resource guide on tips for a Healthy Pregnancy.

Care for the Caregiver

A guide for caregivers of pregnant and postpartum patients with opioid, stimulant, and other substance use disorders.

Pocket Guides for Safe Opioid Prescribing

Contains a number of resources to providers, including: CDC guidelines for safe opioid prescribing, a Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) conversion chart, a checklist for prescribing opioids for chronic pain, medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and additional resources for providers and patients.

The DC Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (DC PDMP)

The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) aims to improve the District’s ability to identify and reduce diversion of prescription drugs in an efficient and cost effective manner that will not impede the appropriate medical utilization of controlled substances.

Live.Long.DC

A coordinated multi-stakeholder approach to comprehensively address the opioid epidemic by sharing data, discussing initiatives and best practices, and identifying common approaches. The initiative is led by the DC Department of Behavioral Health with a goal of reducing opioid use, misuse, and opioid-related deaths in DC. For more information about Live.Long.DC strategies and initiatives, visit: https://livelong.dc.gov/

1-866-337-DACS (3227) | www.districtdacs.org | dacs@som.umaryland.edu