Conclusion to the Special Issue: Responding to the Opioid Crisis-Perspectives, Challenges, and Directions

Objective: Due to a combination of unique circumstances, opioid use and misuse in the United States have escalated dramatically over the past 15 years, resulting in a national crisis. Method: To bring together work that addresses the role that psychologists can play in responding to this crisis, we assembled this special issue. Results: The papers included in this issue underscore critical matters for continued consideration, and point to directions for further action and investigation. Conclusions: Themes that emerged from this collection of papers suggest numerous opportunities for the field as we seek to respond collectively to the crisis now facing our country. What is the public health significance of this article? Due to a combination of unique circumstances, opioid use has escalated dramatically over the past 15 years, resulting in a national public health crisis. These concluding remarks highlight ways in which psychologists may seek to address this crisis.