The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is continuing to worsen. Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that nearly 97,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States over the 12-month period ending in February 2021, setting a tragic new record.
Turning the tide against the drug overdose crisis will require preventing people from developing problems with drug use, in addition to expanding access to effective treatment for people who have substance use disorders. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is supporting research on the connections between social determinants of health and on subsequent substance use problems and disorders. APA joined the “Friends of NIDA” coalition on September 27 in hosting a webinar on this research and its application to policies and community programs aimed at preventing substance use disorders.
Speakers included:
- Nora D. Volkow, MD, NIDA director: New Directions in Substance Use Prevention (PDF, 1.39MB),
- Deanna Barch, PhD, of Washington University in St. Louis: Neighborhood Adversity, Brain Development and Risk for Mental Health and Substance Use Challenges (PDF, 1.18MB),
- Linda Richter, PhD, of the Partnership to End Addiction: How the Current Policy Landscape Can Facilitate an Earlier and Broader Approach to Prevention (PDF, 82KB),
- Stephanie Strutner, MPH, CEO of the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee: How Community Coalitions are Taking a Comprehensive Approach by Incorporating Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences Into Prevention Work (PDF, 1.87MB).
For more information, contact Scott Barstow.
