What is the goal of the HHS Five-Point Opioid Strategy?

The goal of the HHS Five-Point Opioid Strategy is to improve public health and safety concerning opioids. This strategy recognizes the complex nature of the opioid crisis and aims not just to reduce opioid misuse but also to enhance overall health outcomes related to pain management and substance use disorders. By focusing on prevention, treatment, recovery support, and the use of tools to ensure safer opioid prescribing practices, the strategy seeks to create a balanced approach that addresses both the risks associated with opioids while ensuring that patients still have access to necessary pain relief. This balanced approach emphasizes the importance of protecting public health and safety rather than pursuing an unrealistic goal of complete eradication of opioid use, which is not feasible given the legitimate medical uses for these medications.