Texas A&M University Health Science Center in Bryan established a multidisciplinary opioid task force that aims to "reduce the burdens of opioid addiction, misuse and overdose on individuals, families, communities and the health care system," according to the organization.
"I established the task force in recognition that many of our health science faculty were individually already engaging in research, education and practice activities relevant to addressing the opioid epidemic," said Carrie L. Byington, MD, dean of the Texas A&M College of Medicine, senior vice president of the Texas A&M University Health Science Center and vice chancellor for health services at The Texas A&M University System. "By working together, we can create an even greater impact in preventing and managing the devastating consequences faced by Texans and others around the country."
The task force includes representatives from the five components of the center: dentistry, medicine, nursing, public health and pharmacy as well as the Coastal Bend Health Education Center. The task force will focus its efforts on research, education and practice issues associated with the opioid epidemic in Texas.
Two studies by task force members won funding for the first year of the 10-year, $100 million President's Excellence Fund, T3: Texas A&M Triads for Transformation. These studies include the examination of the opioid epidemic's impact on older adults and the development of a system for opiate withdrawal symptoms.