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.

Process/Skill Questions:

How are opioids created?
Can opioids be safely prescribed to patients taking psychotropic drugs?
How does society stereotype individuals with a history of drug addiction?
What are the current trends that have contributed to the nationwide opioid crisis?
How has the opioid epidemic affected emergency rooms and the first responder system?