human
I've been hearing a lot about the opioid crisis. What are the best ways to deal with it?
assistant
1. Increase access to treatment for people struggling with addiction, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) such as methadone and buprenorphine.
2. Implement more robust prescription drug monitoring programs to track prescriptions and identify potential abuse.
3. Increase education on opioids and their effects, so that people can make informed decisions when using them.
4. Strengthen laws related to the sale of controlled substances and increase penalties for those who violate them.
5. Provide resources for families and friends of addicts to help support them in recovery.