The Opioid Crisis and the Black/African American Population

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based on material published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is available as an open-access article. The current opioid epidemic is one of the largest drug epidemics recorded in U.S. history for all racial and ethnic groups. From 1999 to 2017, there were nearly 400,000 overdose deaths involving opioids in the U.S. In 2018, 10.3 million people misused opioids, including prescription opioids and heroin, and two million had opioid use disorder (OUD). In 2017, the opioid epidemic in the U.S. was declared a national public health emergency with 47,600 reported deaths from opioid-related overdoses, which accounted for the majority of overdose drug deaths. With approximately 130 people dying each day due to an opioid-related overdose, this epidemic has garnered nationwide attention, generated significant federal and state funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery and shaped the priorities of many local communities. Today, the response to the drug epidemic is framed as an urgent public health issue. Substance use disorders (SUDs) and addiction are now viewed as a health conditions, a disease that needs to be prevented and treated, and where recovery is possible with appropriate services and supports. This course on opioid use disorder in Black Americans is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors who do clinical work. In addition, this course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced-level practitioners who wish to develop their knowledge of opioid use disorder in Black Americans. The course material includes a literature review of research and interventions. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require continuing clinical education courses for license renewal. Authors: SAMHSA Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding opioid use disorder in Black Americans. Specifically, a professional will: Identify national data and routes to opioid use disorder among Black Americans. Recognize challenges to prevention, treatment, and recovery of opioid use disorder among Black Americans. Describe strategies to address opioid use disorder in Black Americans. Citation: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). The Opioid Crisis and the Black/African American Population: An Urgent Issue. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep20-05-02-001.pdf