Social, educational and medical barriers have to be lowered to address multiple facets of the opioid epidemic. This was jointly agreed by leaders from multiple industries during the closing note discussion of the 2018 Healthcare of Tomorrow conference.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on an average, 115 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. In the New York City, John "Jack" Donahue, chief of strategic initiatives for New York City's police department said they have seen five times as many deaths from opioid overdoses as lives lost to murder.

He mentioned that the crisis has inspired his police department to change its view of the epidemic from a crackdown on drug use to a concern related to public safety.

Increasing conversations between public safety professionals and public health professionals can get more people treated said Dr. Laura Kehoe, medical director of Massachusetts General Hospital's substance use disorder bridge clinic. Providing immediate individualized care and keeping patients attracted to addiction treatment, even in case of a relapse is the key to keeping them in recovery.

Also, substance abuse engagement can help combat opioid addiction.