Part of the Population Health Primer Series, Opioids and Population Health: A Primer provides a concise overview of the opioid crisis leading the reader to explore what's been done to address this epidemic thusfar and what might be done more effectively using a population health approach. Written from a systems and public health perspective, Opioids and Population Health: A Primer begins with an overview of how drug use and addiction have been perceived and how prevention, intervention, and treatment services have been delivered in the U.S. It then reviews the epidemiology of opioid morbidity and mortality, historical framing of addiction, and addresses the government response to the epidemic. Finally, it explores the public health response to the epidemic and considers how a population health approach may better address the epidemic.

"Opioids and Population Health: A Primer, will help senior undergraduate and graduate students to: 1. Describe theories of addiction. 2. Demonstrate the differences between substance abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment. 3. Explain the United States' historical response to opioids. 4. Discuss the differential scope and burden of the current opioid and heroin epidemic on communities and populations. 5. Explain the various sectors, government agencies, and institutions that address addiction generally and the opioid/heroin epidemic specifically. 6. Describe the effectiveness of policy, legal, and regulatory approaches currently in use to address the epidemic. 7. Consider recommendations for sustainable policy and systems changes that are needed to change the opioid addiction trajectory and reduce the epidemic. The text is written through an interdisciplinary approach using the fields of public health, addiction health services research, and implementation science. The authors' experiences with direct client services, city, county, and state governments, managing non-profits, and evaluating treatment interventions speaks to their ability to address issues related to the epidemic thoroughly and critically"--

All across the United States, individuals, families, communities, and health care systems are struggling to cope with substance use, misuse, and substance use disorders. Substance misuse and substance use disorders have devastating effects, disrupt the future plans of too many young people, and all too often, end lives prematurely and tragically. Substance misuse is a major public health challenge and a priority for our nation to address. The effects of substance use are cumulative and costly for our society, placing burdens on workplaces, the health care system, families, states, and communities. The Report discusses opportunities to bring substance use disorder treatment and mainstream health care systems into alignment so that they can address a person's overall health, rather than a substance misuse or a physical health condition alone or in isolation. It also provides suggestions and recommendations for action that everyone-individuals, families, community leaders, law enforcement, health care professionals, policymakers, and researchers-can take to prevent substance misuse and reduce its consequences.

Patrick J. Kennedy, the former congressman and youngest child of Senator Ted Kennedy, opens up about his personal and political battle with mental illness and addiction for the first time. This candid memoir focuses on the years from his 'coming out' about suffering from bipolar disorder and addiction to the present day, and examines his journey toward recovery while reflecting on America's treatment of mental health.