Recovery Michigan

The complexity of the opioid crisis requires medical, legislative, behavioral, educational, and legal changes, and it requires that these changes be made in coordination with each other, at the same time.

States and communities will succeed only if they engage and align all actors to create systems that can prevent new individuals from becoming dependent on opioids, while supporting the recovery of those who already are. Failing to take such an approach will result in burnout among those working individually to improve the current situation and a rate of progress that is too slow to keep up with the velocity of this crisis and the power of opioid addiction.

States are implementing drug courts; narcotics detectives and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are becoming trusted case managers helping guide individuals to treatment rather than arresting them; and some medical examiners are serving as physician educators when overdoses occur. Again, although these efforts are necessary, they are not sufficient to reverse this crisis.

We have identified six key components to develop a system-wide community solution.

Recognize That Everyone In Your Community Has A Role To Play
Work Together
Work On Multiple Parts Of The System Simultaneously
Be Unambiguous About The Risks Of Prescription Opioids
Re-Train The Medical Community
Recognize That Addiction Is A Chronic Disease, And Treat It Accordingly