Fighting the Opioid Crisis

A Commitment to Addressing the Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis continues to devastate communities across the United States, affecting countless individuals, families, and communities. As a university, Notre Dame is dedicated to bringing together top minds and resources to tackle this urgent issue. Our work is grounded in rigorous research, innovative solutions, and collaborative partnerships aimed at making a real impact.

Recent Summit on Opioid Research

On August 5-6, 2024, the University of Notre Dame hosted the Summit on the Opioids Settlement: A Pathway to Hope, bringing together over 100 leaders from across the country, including attorneys general, federal and state officials, foundation leaders, and top experts in addiction and public health. This landmark event was focused on developing strategies to effectively distribute nearly $50 billion in opioid settlement funds. The goal: maximize the impact on our communities and ensure these resources truly benefit those most affected by the opioid crisis.

The summit, led by Notre Dame’s Poverty Initiative, explored how evidence-based practices can inform decision-making and ensure the National Opioids Settlement achieves its intended outcomes. Participants hailed from 14 different states and represented a broad range of disciplines, creating a rich and diverse dialogue focused on finding solutions to the opioid epidemic. The summit was a critical step in shaping Notre Dame’s research agenda on opioids, ensuring that it remains relevant and impactful for the communities, children, and families most affected by this crisis.

Notre Dame's own experts from the Department of Economics and the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) led workshops that focused on how evidence-based methods can be applied to evaluate the distribution of settlement funds. They discussed designing, piloting, and testing interventions to ensure effectiveness before scaling up, providing critical insights to help stakeholders make data-informed decisions.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, we are excited to continue our work on this critical issue. The finalized research agenda available here will serve as a roadmap for our ongoing and future efforts to combat the opioid crisis. This agenda will guide our research initiatives, collaborations, and policy recommendations, ensuring that our work remains focused on making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by opioids.

Notre Dame is committed to being a leader in the fight against the opioid epidemic. Through continued collaboration, innovative research, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve, we believe that change is not just possible—it’s within reach.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue to push forward with this important work. Together, we can make a difference.

Media

ND Stories: A tidal wave of pills
WNDU: University of Notre Dame hosts opioid summit 'A Pathway to Hope'
WNIT: A Pathway to Hope Summit
WSBT: Global leaders address opioid crisis at University of Notre Dame

Continued Learning

Learn more about Notre Dame's opioid research here.

Read White Paper. Pathway to Hope: Bringing Evidence to the Opioid Crisis