Prescription opioid misuse among adolescents and emerging adults in the United States: A scoping review.

The U.S. opioid epidemic is a critical public health problem. As substance use and misuse typically begin in adolescence and emerging adulthood, there is a critical need for prevention efforts for this key developmental period to disrupt opioid misuse trajectories, reducing morbidity and mortality [e.g., overdose, development of opioid use disorders (OUD)]. This article describes the current state of research focusing on prescription opioid misuse (POM) among adolescents and emerging adults (A/EAs) in the U.S. Given the rapidly changing nature of the opioid epidemic, we applied PRISMA Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines to identify empirical articles published in the past 5 years (January 2013-September 2018) from nine databases examining POM among A/EAs (ages 10-25) in the U.S. Seventy-six articles met our inclusion criteria focusing on POM in the following areas: cross-sectional surveys (n = 60), longitudinal cohort studies (n = 5), objective, non-self-reported data sources (n = 9), and interventions (n = 2). Final charted data elements were organized by methodology and sample, with results tables describing design, sample, interventions (where applicable), outcomes, and limitations. Most studies focused on the epidemiology of POM and risk/protective factors, including demographic (e.g., sex, race), individual (e.g., substance use, mental health), and social (e.g., peer substance use) factors. Despite annual national surveys conducted, longitudinal studies examining markers of initiation and escalation of prescription opioid misuse (e.g., repeated overdoses, time to misuse) are lacking. Importantly, few evidence-based prevention or early intervention programs were identified. Future research should examine longitudinal trajectories of POM, as well as adaptation and implementation of promising prevention approaches.

Effectiveness of safety training interventions for supervisors: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

A wealth of research demonstrates that work unit supervisors serve a critical function in protecting the safety and health of workers. A systematic review examined the effectiveness of workplace safety training interventions intended for various supervisor populations published from 2000 to 2019. A search of seven electronic databases was supplemented with hand searches from the reference lists of identified publications, relevant scientific journals, and the gray literature. This review included an assessment of the methodological quality using a modified version of the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. A total of 22 peer-reviewed studies met a set of inclusion criteria and were subsequently assessed for methodological quality. Training interventions were grouped into five topical domains: ergonomics, leadership, supervisor-worker interaction, injury, and disability management, and general safety education. Consistent evidence was found for the effectiveness of supervisory training interventions across several outcome measures. To our knowledge, this is the first study to synthesize the literature on supervisory training interventions in the area of occupational safety. While the results are encouraging, they must be viewed with caution due to the fact that the methodological rigor of the reviewed studies was low.

Comprehensive Workplace Policies and Practices Regarding Employee Opioid Use.

The workplace is a key environment to impact employees, families, and communities to prevent further opioid and substance misuse, addiction, and overdose. However, it is often overlooked as an ideal location to launch a prevention intervention or support strategy. Employees in recovery, seeking treatment, and dealing with mental distress require employer support. Supports should consider the diversity of the work force and be culturally appropriate. Several data sources, tools, and other resources exist to aid employers in supporting their employees and addressing the opioid epidemic; a few from the National Safety Council are discussed. As well as suitable strategies to strengthen workplace prevention interventions and treatment access, in light of the opioid epidemic, coronavirus pandemic, and workplace disparities.