Five Key Strategies for an “Upstream” Approach to Preventing Opioid Misuse and Addiction

Abstract

In this chapter, executive leadership of Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and Well Being Trust describe the need to move “upstream” in prevention efforts to address opioid and other drug-related deaths. This means addressing the broad social and economic factors that drive substance misuse and addiction, including racism and other forms of discrimination and poverty. TFAH and Well Being Trust’s National Resilience Strategy highlights the causes of “deaths of despair” and promotes prevention efforts that are aligned along a spectrum from early childhood throughout all stages of adulthood. This chapter highlight five major strategies for public health practitioners; focusing on children and their families, assisting adults who may be at elevated risk, incorporating routine screening in multiple settings, supporting community health and social service resource availability and promoting equity in broad terms.