EVERFI Hosts National Discussion on Combating Opioid Misuse and Abuse with Government and Industry Leaders at Prescription Drug Safety Network Summit

EVERFI, the leading social impact education innovator, is hosting the members of its Prescription Drug Safety Network at the second annual Prescription Drug Safety Network Summit today at The Watergate Hotel. The Summit is a gathering of experts, policymakers, and forward-thinking organizations that examine strategies for combating the U.S. opioid crisis and discuss how prevention education is playing a powerful role in curbing prescription drug misuse nationwide.

As the leading provider of education for the real world, EVERFI established the Prescription Drug Safety Network to bring investment, human capital, best practices, and prescription drug abuse prevention technology to schools across the nation to combat the opioid and prescription drug abuse crisis.  A national coalition of more than 20 healthcare organizations, pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, insurers, foundations, nonprofits, and state leaders, the Network is committed to empowering Americans with the knowledge and skills to make safe and healthy decisions about prescription medications.

“Today, two million Americans suffer from an opioid use disorder and the National Institute of Health’s Institute on Drug Abuse reports that nonmedical use of prescription drugs is highest among young adults aged 18 to 25,” said Jon Chapman, President and Co-Founder, EVERFI. “The mission of the PDSN is to raise awareness of this problem at a national level and bring an evidence-based curriculum to high schools, colleges, and universities nationwide. We are thankful for the dedication of our Network partners and look forward to working together in addressing this problem together.”

Summit attendees will have the chance to hear from several members of Congress as well as Network partners. New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez will provide keynote remarks on the policy landscape surrounding opioid abuse prevention, while Congresswoman Annie Kuster, founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force, will outline her efforts in the House to prioritize opioid funding in the Bipartisan Budget. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell will discuss the need for removing the stigma around addiction and mental health disorders while supporting patients with legitimate pain needs through smart science and a regulatory environment that promotes pain management alternatives. The event will conclude with a fireside chat between Kellyanne Conway, Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor to the President of the United States and Chapman.

Network partners Walmart, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and UnityPoint Health will each deliver a “TED Talk” style presentation outlining their organization’s comprehensive approach to tackling the opioid crisis. Strategies to be discussed include limiting the length of acute opioid prescriptions, supporting businesses in providing solutions to their employees and communities, creating localized initiatives, and collaborating with legislators to broaden impact and awareness.

“Through the support of our Network partners, more than 2,700 high schools and 75 institutions of higher education, reaching more than 265,000 students, have adopted EVERFI’s Prescription Drug Safety curriculum since Fall 2017,” said Chapman. “The curriculum uses an evidence-based, public health approach to empower high school and college students with the skills and knowledge they need to make safe and healthy decisions about prescription drugs.”

Prevention education has been shown to drive positive behavior change, and some findings to be released at PDSN Summit include:

• 31% increase in students ability to support someone who may be abusing prescription drugs
• 50% increase in the proportion of students who reported that they can identify the signs of prescription drug misuse and abuse
• 60% increase in the proportion of students who say they definitely will be disposing of and storing medication appropriately.

For additional information on the Prescription Drug Safety Network please visit https://everfi.com/networks/prescription-drug-safety-network/.