SAFE GC Coalition:American Academy of Pediatrics on Opioid Crisis

The American Academy of Pediatrics (on behalf of the more than 560,000 physicians and medical students represented by the Academy) has adopted the following principles to address the opioid crisis impacting a significant number of individuals, families and communities across the country.

The crisis has left few untouched, with an average of 115 Americans dying every day from an opioid overdose. In fact, many families are impacted by opioid use disorder, including pregnant women, resulting in rising numbers of infants being born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and increased rates of maternal mortality. Additionally, children are experiencing trauma as a result of a parent or other family member's substance use disorder (SUD). The Academy urges policymakers to implement solutions that focus on families grappling with other substance use disorders as well as they address the immediate opioid crisis. The Academy is committed to addressing the problem through a comprehensive approach that includes education, improved access to coverage and quality care, and addressing the stigma of addiction while not impeding patients' access to medications needed to treat chronic pain.

Much attention has been paid to the opioid crisis by the administration, Congress, and at the state level with legislation and regulatory proposals currently being considered to curb the epidemic. Efforts to address opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose must be built on scientific evidence that shows that a Substance Use Disorder is a chronic disease of the brain that can be effectively treated. Specifically, legislation and regulatory approaches must:

• Align and improve financing incentives to ensure access to evidence-based opioid use disorder treatment
• Reduce the Administrative burden associated with providing patients with effective treatment
• Incentivize more providers to treat substance use disorders (SUDs)
• Advance research to support prevention and treatment of SUDs
• Ensure a public health approach to SUD’s by addressing childhood stress, access to naloxone, and fair and appropriate treatment for individuals in the criminal justice system and pregnant women
• Address the maternal-child health impact of the opioid crisis
• Reduce stigma related to SUDs
• Continue to provide comprehensive pain management for patients

SAFE is the only alcohol and substance abuse prevention, intervention and education agency in the City of Glen Cove. Its Coalition is conducting an opioid prevention awareness campaign entitled, "Keeping Glen Cove SAFE," in order to educate and update the community regarding opioid use and its consequences. To learn more about the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition please follow us on www.facebook.com/safeglencove or visit SAFE’s website to learn more about the Opioid Epidemic at www.safeglencove.org.