PO - Fewer People Develop Dependence or SUD

Return to Fewer People Develop Dependence or SUD

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Since this is an Outcome objective, the description should be about the changes we aspire to see in the outcome, NOT in the changes that will get us there.  All those changes belong under the appropriate Strategy Objectives. 

Examples of a Description for this Objective

The complex set of intertwined of problems that devastate many lives and create costly problems for communities can be largely avoided if people don't ever develop the dependence on opioids or a full-blown Substance Use Disorder (SUD).  To end this crisis, it is essential to catch it early and minimize people who even start to use opioids and do our best to help those who have started to misuse opioids quickly exit from the road that can lead to dependence and a SUD. 

Examples of a From-To Gap

Current State		Desired State
Too many people casually misuse opioids and don't see it as a problem because they have not developed a dependence or SUD yet.  But that casual use can lead to increased use and then escalate to dependences and worse.		Our myriad of programs to educate people, screen them and otherwise reduce the pressures and opportunities to misuse opioids leads to most people stopping all use of opioids so they never develop a dependence or OUD.
People believe that they don't have a problem because they perioidically use opioids for non-prescribed use and don't have an addiction.  But, they grow more at risk over time.		People realize the risks and stop misusing opioids rather than risk gradually growing more dependent.