Supreme Court proclaims August ‘Opioid Use Disorder Awareness Month’
Opioid use disorder in the United States is so prevalent, the National Safety Council reports more people die from an accidental opioid overdose than from traffic fatalities. The National Institute on Drug Abuse earlier this year published data reflecting a surge in Florida overdose deaths involving opioids.
To raise awareness of opioid use disorder and highlight solutions pursued in the courts, Chief Justice Charles Canady issued a proclamation establishing August “as a month of awareness, training, and action regarding opioids, and treatment for opioid use disorder.”
Opioid use disorder exacts a serious toll on the lives of millions in the United States, according to the court. Its impacts range from the suffering associated with addiction, overdoses, and death. Among its further consequences are increased crime, job losses, family disruptions, and taxpayer expense to address these problems in the justice, social services, and health-care systems.
“Its effects are apparent throughout the Florida Courts System. Negative impacts on both the courts and those whose lives have been directly affected by opioids can be reduced through greater awareness and access to resources,” according to the court. “Courts throughout the state grapple with the opioid epidemic on a daily basis through drug courts; family courts, mental-health courts, veteran courts, and other components of the court system.”
Throughout August, the Office of the State Courts Administrator will offer a range of resources for judges, magistrates, court staff, and partners statewide, including:
- Circuit Champions. Chief judges throughout the state have identified judges and court staff “champions” who have agreed to become local subject matter experts regarding opioids and medication-assisted treatment. Florida has 70 circuit champions from all 20 circuits. The Champions participate in trainings, self-study, and leadership activities, including outreach to others in their respective circuits for creating a community of shared learning.
- Training Events. Five virtual workshops will be held on a variety of timely topics related to opioids and the courts. They are scheduled for August 7, 14, 21, 28, and September 11, each from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m. They will be available live and online to judges, court staff, and court partners.
- Web-Based Resources. E-Learning modules and an online education resource platform are being created as a further training and technical assistance resource for judges and court staff. These will be made public on August 1, 2020. In addition, a series of Web events and on-demand recordings are being planned on other topics to assist the courts in combating the opioid epidemic.
- Educational Materials. Through September, Circuit Champions are being consulted about additional training and technical assistance needs and provided with resources to help them and others in the circuits address related issues and opportunities.
- Outreach Services. Innovative means of outreach are being utilized and planned for achieving greater visibility for opioid-related problems and solutions, as well as services of the Initiative available to the statewide courts. Such methods are designed to increase the reach and impact of available services and are an ideal fit for this time of COVID-19.
The activities and resources are a project of the Florida Courts Opioid Initiative, a statewide judicial branch response to Florida’s opioid crisis, involving both statewide and circuit-specific efforts. The initiative focuses on enhanced awareness and effective ways to address this epidemic, especially through actions of the problem-solving courts and family courts. FCOI is funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration State Opioid Response grant, as administered by the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families.
Further details, including a copy of the proclamation, are available on the Florida Courts Opioid Initiative website.
