BROWN BAG SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP MEETING VIII: THE U.S. OPIOID CRISIS-RESEARCH TO INFORM PREVENTION-BASED SOLUTIONS

Opioid misuse and addiction in the United States lead to tens of thousands of deaths each year and affect health status, family functioning, community resources, and economic welfare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total economic burden of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement. Staff from the National Institute on Drug Abuse will hold a “brown bag” lunch meeting to stimulate discussion with the research community on novel and existing prevention strategies that hold promise for preventing opioid misuse and addiction and for preventing overdose, HIV and other adverse health consequences of opioid use disorders. In addition, the group will discuss underdeveloped areas of research linking opioid use risk and protection to prevention strategies. Program staff will provide a brief overview of the opioid crisis and remarks about research opportunities to reduce the risk of opioid misuse and overdose. NIDA staff will moderate a discussion and solicit recommendations from scientists from diverse disciplines regarding research gaps, opportunities and directions. Attendees are encouraged to come ready to network, share perspectives, and explore options for partnerships in research to address the opioid crisis and its impact on public health.