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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 Opioid Abuse in MichiganKCMSAKCOAI had to be sure our members were able to see the MOA’s focus on this topic. MOA President, Robert G. G. Piccinini, D.O. shared the following open letter regarding the Opioid Abuse issue:Our country and state face a public health crisis. While treating patients and their pain, opioid misuse and abuse is leading to unintended consequences. This is an epidemic that cuts across all demographics and is causing hardship and suffering to our families, friends and neighbors. Misuse is leading to abuse and abuse is leading to more dangerous drug use.As the president of the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA), I want our members and the communities weserve to know that during my term we will be committedto developing policies to address the issues related to the abuse of prescription drugs. Prior to the start of my term, the MOA recognized the urgency of the opioid issue and created an Ad Hoc committee dedicated to finding solutions. The objectives of the MOA solutions are as follows:1. Decrease preventable deaths related to opioid and other drug-related overdose2. Improve continuity of care for patients in pain or with opioid use disorder3. Improve expertise of health care professionals in managing the acute and chronic non-cancer pain4. Limit opioid dependence5. Effectively manage opioid dependence when it occurs6. Help eliminate diversion of controlled prescriptions and illicit drug traffickingIt is the goal of the MOA to help reduce opioid-related deaths and morbidity while we treat patients with pain and/or addiction with compassion and expertise. The MOA recognizes the importance of addressing this serious issue and we are working to develop policies to address this complex and multifaceted problem. The MOA has been a leader on issues facing the well being of our communities for generations. While this issue is tragic, I embrace the challenge and the MOA will continue to be a leader in developing policies and legislation that will create responsible opioid use policies and treat addiction issues related to opioid misuse.Robert G. G. PiccininiD.O., dFACN, President,Michigan Osteopathic Association16 KCMS/KCOA BULLETIN SUMMER 2015