Forum: Opioids

pills of various shapes and sizes

THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC: INSIGHTS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS/HNRC  300VH-003
WEDNESDAYS, 5-6:15 p.m., FALL 2019
GEAR 129

The deadline to apply for our Honors College Forum courses (via this application form) is 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 29, 2019.

Opioid dependence has devastated communities across the country, and a collective effort across multiple sectors is needed to stem the tide of opioid misuse and substance abuse.  In 2017, more than 72,000 people died from overdoses involving opioids, and 40 percent of all opioid overdose deaths involved a prescription opioid. On average, 115 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. Drug overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S., and opioid addiction is driving this epidemic.

This interprofessional, in-depth course will review the scope of the current opioid crisis, including a historical look back on how we arrived at this epidemic. This course will challenge preconceptions about addiction and about who can become addicted to opioids. We will review the pharmacology of opioids and their antagonists, including opioids for acute and chronic pain. The course will include discussion on the alternatives and adjuncts to opioids for pain management; how the epidemic affects you, your community and the workplace; and reviews of recent legislative updates.

What's in it for you:

  • Gain insight into the causes, consequences and future of the opioid crisis in the United States.
  • Learn how to appropriately analyze, characterize and discuss addiction, as well as the demographic distribution of those most likely to abuse opioids.
  • Get up-to-date information on how our society and its lawmakers are currently combating opioid addiction.

What's expected of you:

  • Active participation in all class activities and discussions.
  • An open-minded approach to all course topics and respect for your fellow classmates' contributions.

About Kelly Way:

woman in red suitKelly Ann Way is an associate professor of human nutrition and hospitality management in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food & Life Sciences. She earned a B.S. in hotel and restaurant administration from Oklahoma State University, followed by an M.S. in hospitality administration and a Ph.D. in human environmental sciences from the same university. Her primary research interests include opioid abuse in the business sector, consumer behavior, tourism, festivals, marketing and branding. Her research has appeared in the Journal of Culinary Science & Technology, the Journal of Hospitality Marketing and Management, The International Journal of Hospitality Management and many others.