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Opioid Crisis Convener

AHLA Convener on the Opioid Crisis: Understanding the Complexities, Acknowledging the Challenges, and Exploring Possible Solutions

On September 25, 2018, AHLA hosted a convener session at American University's Washington College of Law in Washington, DC to address the national crisis of opioid-related harm. Twenty experts from around the country gathered for a day-long meeting to identify the most pressing issues and discuss possible solutions. The white paper featured below captures the major themes and recurring issues that convener participants, with their diverse experience, expertise, and perspectives, discussed and debated during the day-long session.A number of related resources that delve more deeply into many of the issues addressed at the convener session are included below organized by their relevance to a particular section of the white paper. This page also provides a collection of AHLA educational materials analyzing the policy and legal implications of the opioid crisis.  

Download The Opioid Crisis: Understanding the Complexities, Acknowledging the Challenges, and Exploring Possible Solutions White Paper

Convener Resources

I. Introduction

*No additional references.

II. An Overview of Legislative and Administrative Activity

III. Overarching Barriers to Effective Solutions--Data Gaps, Social Stigma, Prescribing Practices, and the Impact of Payer Policies

A. Data Gaps

B. Social Stigmas and Individual Biases

C. Attempts to Define "Inappropriate Prescribing" and the Impact of Current Prescribing Guidelines on the Provider Community

D. Reimbursement for Non-Opioid Pain Therapy

IV. Potential Solutions

A. PDMP Data

B. Educating Early, Changing Mindsets, and Understanding Opioid use Disorder as a Medical Condition

C. Prescribing Practices

D. Overdose Reporting: Toxicology Data

*No additional references

V. Increasing Access to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

VI. Reducing Opioid-related Harms

A. Naloxone--Accessibility and Cost

B. Overdose Prevention Sites or Safe Injection