Description should include

the relationship between opioid prescribing and illicit opioid use to overall opioid overdose deaths
the prevalence of co-occurring mental health disorders
the shift in attitudes in the 1990s toward pain management and use of opioids, including the role of pharmaceutical marketing
the stigma associated with addiction and the changing view of addiction from a moral failing to a chronic, relapsing disease
statistics, trends, and demographics surrounding the crisis
population health and other public health aspects of the crisis, including its effects on family and neonates, as well as overall health costs
the Virginia Department of Health’s Declaration of a Public Health Emergency on November 21, 2016
proposed legislation to address the crisis in Virginia (i.e., House Bill 2161 and Senate Bill 1179, which require the secretary of health and human resources to convene a workgroup to establish educational guidelines for training healthcare providers in the safe prescribing and appropriate use of opioids)
the development of curricula and educational standards regarding opioid addiction.

Process/Skill Questions:

What agencies participated in the governor’s task meeting on the opioid crisis?
What educational organizations will be tasked with providing opioid training to their students?
What is the benefit of educating future medical professionals about opioid addiction?
What is the current attitude in society about opioid use and addiction?
How is the local community affected by the opioid epidemic?

Teacher Resource: