The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) has joined an initiative to educate and empower all nurses in combating America’s opioid use and overdose epidemic.  According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, more people die each day from overdoses than from car crashes, and the majority of these overdoses are from prescription drugs. At the same time, the amount of opioids prescribed and sold in the U.S. has quadrupled since 1999.

As nurses, we see the devastating effects first hand in many settings. We all can help identify and provide interventions to those with (or at risk for) opioid use disorders.  If all 3.4 million nurses across the country are armed with this education, nursing can lead the way in ending this problem devastating so many of our communities across the country.

Access the free online continuing nursing education from the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) that provides you with the information you need to provide effective opiate interventions in your setting.

You may also wish to read this excellent article about the opioid crisis.