Henry SG, Shev AB, Crow D, et al. - For implementation of the Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention Initiative, a 4-year program to decrease deaths involving prescription opioids, California was provided funds in 2015. The program involved 1) leveraging improvements to California's prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) (ie, mandatory PDMP registration for prescribers and pharmacists), and 2) supporting county opioid safety coalitions.

• Researchers herein sought to determine the Initiative's impact on opioid prescribing and overdose rates via analyzing statewide data retrieved from 2011 to 2018.

• A 25% reduction in opioid prescribing rates were recorded after 24 months in correlation with mandatory PDMP registration.

• A 2% reduction in the opioid prescribing rate occurred in correlation with having a county coalition; there appeared a correlation of receiving Initiative support with an additional 2% decrease.

• A 35% decrease and a 21% decrease occurred in prescription opioid overdose deaths in correlation with mandatory PDMP registration and county coalitions, respectively.

• In addition, significantly fewer deaths involving any opioid was observed in correlation with both interventions but there was no significant association with non-fatal overdose rates.