Opioid Addiction Conversation Guide

The opioid epidemic is in the news and in our communities. Addiction to opioids seems different from others and has destroyed many lives and families. At the same time, opioids are also an important tool for alleviating human suffering and promoting healing. Our ability to address addiction is often not as successful as we would like. Is addiction a compulsion and/or a choice? As a society we see addiction as leading to criminal acts, which leads to punishment where treatment may or may not be available. Is this the most helpful response? What can we do to prevent or resolve the issue of opioid addiction?