Recently, there was a conference in Tennessee to discuss the Opioid Crisis. Opioids have become increasingly dangerous and contribute to the large number of overdoses each year. In 2017, around 70,000 Americans died of a drug overdose and about 49,000 of them were related to opioid use. This conference consisted of many medical professionals, church leaders, and theologians from Duke University. The Holy Friendship Summit was to attempt for Christians to engage in healing that part of the south.
During this summit, many speakers advocated for a more holistic understanding people than normally recognized by the medical community. Many sessions at the summit talked about psychological and emotional reasons for addiction, but also how addiction could be healed through a relationship with God. There are several church leaders interested in the matter due to the prevalence of the issue seen in their communities.
To accomplish these goals for using faith to help solve drug addictions like those to opioids, there are grants through the U.S. Department of Health that are given to faith-based programs. However, it is mentioned that to be successful, these faith-based communities will need to breakthrough the stereotypes related to addicts.
The Holy Friendship Summit organizers said in a statement, “Those suffering with behavioral health conditions and addiction are much more than patients or clients. They are our sisters and brothers in Christ.” Which helps to show the motivation for these religious communities trying to help those who are addicted and guide them into a healthier life.
Beaty, Katelyn, et al. “Faith and Friendship as a Remedy to the Opioid Crisis.” Religion News Service, 26 Sept. 2019, religionnews.com/2018/08/30/how-faith-and-friendship-are-gaining-as-a-remedy-to-the-opioid-crisis/.
contemporaryamericanreligion 
I agree; the opioid problem is becoming a huge pandemic across the country. Any amount of deaths is awful, but 70,000 people, and 49,000 of those by opioids alone, is way too much. I have a missionary friend who lives in Ohio and the opioid crisis is a much bigger problem there than it seems. I greatly appreciate The Holy Friendship Summit organizers’ statement that these addicts are more than just patients; the world needs more people like that to take in those who have lost their way.
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The opioid crisis is a problem many people face, regardless of religion. I think it’s nice they wish to approach this from a holistic point of view. If they feel religion may help some get over their addictions, I don’t see why they can’t try. It’d be interesting to see this discussed in other religions as well.
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I wonder if any mention of AA was made at the summit seeing that AA has religious roots. I would be interested in seeing what success rates occur with drug aid coming from churches. I know that in some part of the country Church’s are some of the most outspoken groups against drugs and favor hard reform.
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