University at Buffalo Joins Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic

The University at Buffalo (UB) recently announced it has joined the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic. UB is joining more than 100 organizations who have also committed to the national effort.

The UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the UB Clinical Research Institute on Addictions (CRIA) have issued statements on their commitment to combatting the opioid crisis through collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts and partnerships. This includes more than 150 UB faculty members working to advance research, education, and clinical care on addiction, ranging from basic science to clinical and translational studies and health services research.

According to www.buffalo.edu, CRIA is a research center of the University at Buffalo focused on addressing the causes, consequences, prevention, and treatment of substance use disorders. Its scientists are members of multiple departments and schools within UB, allowing CRIA to explore interdisciplinary methods to address addiction issues.

The university released the following statement following their announcement: “Our clinical faculty see firsthand the damaged patients who present to our emergency rooms, clinics, private offices—and our morgues. The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences hosts one of the nation’s first fellowships in addiction medicine as well as a fellowship in pain medicine, training future clinical leaders and researchers in the field of addiction.”

CRIA has also outlined the steps its researchers and clinicians have taken to address the opioid epidemic:

To address the epidemic in high-need counties throughout the state, CRIA works with UB’s Department of Family Medicine and the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
UB has spearheaded novel educational programs that have trained several thousand health professional students in UB’s School of Nursing, School of Dental Medicine, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Professions and the Jacobs School
The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has developed an online continuing educational program focused on pain management, palliative care and addiction, which is mandated for New York State physicians who prescribe controlled substances
Continuing education programs developed and offered by CRIA about the opioid epidemic provide important information for the community
UB is a key partner with Erie County’s Opioid Epidemic Task Force