What would bring think tanks, educators, the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services, and policy and marketing experts together? The binding agent is an opioid epidemic leaving the earch scorched

	Source-CDC

in its wake in communities across the United States. This issue of Roundtable News focuses solely on this challenge.

According to recent reports, more Americans died of drug overdoses (46,471) in 2013 than died in automobile accidents (35,369) or from shootings (33,636).

What we have is an unprecedented crisis that daily reaches into schools. The tragic deaths of two junior high students from drug overdoses in affluent Park City, Utah illustrates the reach of the epidemic. These

Ember Conley

students were victims of a synthetic drug called U-47700, more commonly known as "pink," that could be obtained legally over the Internet in the United States until September 8. Park City superintendent Ember Conley stressed the immediate danger of the drug and her students' lack of knowledge of the danger from legal drugs.

Conley's insight into teenagers' lack of knowledge is confirmed by new study in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing -- many teenagers are unaware of the dangers posed by prescription opiates.  Surveying teens at malls throughout the country, the authors of the study conclude that many young people see legal drugs as blessed with the approval of the FDA and promotion and marketing by drug companies assuring the public these substances are safe and beneficial.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, between 13 and 20 percent of American children experience mental health challenges, costing families and society nearly $250 billion annually. Substance abuse related to mental disorders is a risk factor that must be taken into account, according to CDC. A recent article from Edudemic cites 10 of the most common mental health problems faced by students. Disorders range from anxiety, eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, to those that cause kids to act out, like oppositional defiant disorder. The Journal of Public Policy & Marketing study cited above, noted that students' drug use tended to increase as their anxiety levels kicked into high gear.

Gloria Davis - use restorative justice to end school-to-prison pipeline

Clearly students need help and guidance. But counseling services in schools are overwhelmed by the 35 million students needing mental health and social services of various kinds, according to a report from the Center for American Progress.

The report notes that 27 million students lack access to a school psychologist. The report recommends what the Roundtable heard at its October meeting from Gloria Davis, superintendent of Illinois District #428 - states should  prioritize funding for school-based mental health programs and mount restorative, rather than punitive, approaches to discipline. What makes  most sense and costs taxpayers the least: counseling or criminalization?

Unfortunately, some seemingly sensible approaches run into political resistance. After the FDA approved the drug Nalaxone HCl (NARCAN) for use in emergency treatment of drug overdoses, the manufacturer announced  it would make the drug available for free to all high schools in the United States. The announcement resulted in a debate on whether the drug should be distributed in schools.  Some state officials, like Maine governor Paul LePage - whose state blocks the distribution of drugs like NARCAN in schools - argue that providing the medication encourages drug use by providing a false sense of security.

Still, knowledge is power. In an effort to educate students about the dangers of opiate abuse, the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration are promoting a documentary that highlights the stories of addicts.  The film, Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict, personalizes the toll of the epidemic by focusing on individuals caught up in it.

Another avenue of attack is scaling back prescription overuse. Prescriptions have tripled in the last 20 years, leading the CDC earlier this year to urge physicians to avoid prescribing powerful opiates for chronic pain. 

The Roundtable appreciates the support of:

We are pleased to welcome several new members who have joined the Roundtable for 2016. They include: Welcome!