Since the opioid overdose epidemic was declared a national public health emergency in October 2017, progress has been slow in reversing rates of opioid misuse and overdose. This is due not to lack of will or resources, but to the complex drivers of the crisis and the cross-cutting strategies that will be required to resolve them. To improve coordination and accelerate the pace of change, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) is partnering with the National Academy of Medicine and more than 30 other organizations to form an Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic. This one-of-a-kind public-private partnership comprises government, communities, health systems, provider groups, payers, industry, nonprofits, academia, and more – all committed to sharing knowledge, aligning ongoing initiatives, and advancing multi-sector solutions. Future activities of the Collaborative will span public meetings, expert publications, and the development of an information hub, among other efforts. ASAM's President, Dr. Kelly J. Clark, and ASAM’s Director of Advocacy and Government Relations, Kelly M. Corredor, represented ASAM at the Collaborative’s July 27 launch meeting. 

Visit nam.edu/OpioidCollaborative for more information.

About ASAM

The American Society of Addiction Medicine, founded in 1954, is a professional society representing over 5,500 physicians, clinicians, and associated professionals in the field of addiction medicine. ASAM is dedicated to increasing access and improving the quality of addiction treatment, educating physicians and the public, supporting research and prevention, and promoting the appropriate role of physicians in the care of patients with addiction. For more information, visit www.ASAM.org.