The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities and families throughout the nation and is a tremendous strain on the U.S. healthcare system.

Everyone has been touched by the opioid epidemic. It may be through a loved one, a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker … the tentacles of addiction have reached people from all walks of life.

The CHIME family is no different; as the rate of opioid deaths soared in recent years, we were seeing first-hand the devastating toll this disease was taking on our families, our communities, our nation and the world.

We formed the CHIME Opioid Task Force in early 2018 to harness the knowledge and expertise of CHIME members and our CHIME Foundation partners to turn the tide on opioid addiction and deaths. Within months we were sharing best practices through free and open webinars. Our amazing task force members produced a playbook for other IT leaders to use to develop opioid initiatives in their healthcare organizations. They raised their voices in Washington, working with CHIME’s policy team and Policy Steering Committee to help shape opioid-related laws and regulations that better protect patients.

The CHIME OTF are fabulous and dedicated leaders striving to battle this epidemic.  Yes, people are alive today because of the CHIME Opioid Task Force, but the war isn’t over. This incredible group of volunteers fights on every day to reduce the number opioids prescribed by providers, to find ways to help those who struggle with opioid addiction, to break opioid’s grip – one tentacle at a time.

Thank you to the OTF leaders and all our volunteers for caring and doing what is right!!!

Blessings, Russ