Moderator: CeCe Spitznas, PhD, Senior Science Policy Advisor, Office of National Drug Control Policy, and Member, National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit CE Certified By: AMA,AAFP,ACPE,APA,GA Bar,GA POST The rate of drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids increased by 72.2% between 2014 and 2015, According to the most recent national data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a substantial portion of this increase appears to be related to the availability of illicit fentanyl. This session will provide an overview of the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) 2018 report on federal efforts to combat synthetic opioids, which focused on federal actions to: 1) limit the international production and export of illicit synthetic opioids; 2) counteract the smuggling and domestic distribution of illicit synthetic opioids; and 3) prevent and treat addiction in light of the threat of synthetic opioids. This presentation will discuss the various initiatives in these arenas, many of which are cross-cutting and involve federal, state and local stakeholders across sectors, including law enforcement, public health, international relations and public policy. The discussion will outline areas of progress as well as persistent challenges that stakeholders face. Further, this presentation will discuss opportunities for improvement GAO identified during the course of the work that, if implemented, may better position federal agencies to understand and respond to the growing issue of illicit synthetic opioids. UPON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO: - Describe ways in which the federal government is responding to the threat of illicit synthetic opioids and engaging with state and local counterparts. - Identify examples of efforts where progress is being made. - Discuss the challenges that impede progress and opportunities for agencies to better understand and respond to the issue.