A committee established by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is celebrating five years of work in the fight against opioid use disorder. The Scientific Committee on Opioid Prevention and Education (SCOPE), formed in 2019, has been central to Ohio's efforts to prevent opioid addiction through research and education.
"This is a fight Ohio can’t afford to lose," Yost stated. "The breakthroughs emerging from SCOPE’s work are paving the way for a future in which fewer families suffer the heart-wrenching loss of a loved one to an opioid overdose."
SCOPE unites experts from various fields, including medicine, pharmacy, behavioral science, and data analysis, to develop strategies aimed at preventing addiction before it begins. One of its key achievements is identifying genetic factors that may influence susceptibility to opioid use disorder and potential overdose. This research holds promise for transforming prevention, education, and treatment efforts across Ohio and beyond.
Other areas of focus during SCOPE's first five years include educating health professionals about opioids and promoting safe storage and disposal of unused medications.
To commemorate this milestone, Yost's office has released a report and video highlighting SCOPE's impact and future vision.