Middle Schoolers Learn Mindfulness Through Yoga Program
The weekly class at Anderson Middle School in Berkley teaches kids healthy coping skills.
September 29, 2025
The overuse of prescription medication has largely contributed to the opioid crisis. According to a report presented at the American Pain Society annual scientific meeting in 2017, patients received an average of 80 opioid pills each after orthopedic surgery to manage their pain, often exceeding need. In addition, The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 62.7 opioid prescriptions were written for every 100 persons in Michigan in 2018.
To prevent opioid misuse, the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation Act (“NOPAIN Act”) was introduced to the Senate in 2021.
The mission of the NOPAIN Act directly aligns with the work of the Jamie Daniels Foundation, which has joined forces with the Voices for Non-Opioid Choices, a bipartisan coalition dedicated to increasing access to non-opioid approaches to manage acute pain.
The policy changes proposed by the NOPAIN Act aim to increase access to non-addictive alternatives for patients and healthcare providers, significantly reducing the need to prescribe opioids post-surgery. Furthermore, it seeks to amend a federal reimbursement policy that currently encourages opioid use in hospital settings after surgery, thereby closing this pathway and helping to prevent potential addiction.
Education and Awareness
Increase public awareness about addiction as a complex health issue, not a moral failing; disseminate accurate information about the biological, psychological, and social factors contributing to substance use disorders.
Language Matters
Promote person-first language that emphasizes the individual over their condition (e.g., “a person with a substance use disorder” instead of “an addict”).
Community Engagement
Engage communities and schools in conversations about substance use and recovery to break down stereotypes and dispel myths.
Promote Empathy and Compassion
Emphasize that addiction can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, or background.
Advocate for Policy Changes
Support and advocate for policies that prioritize treatment over punishment for individuals with SUD.
The weekly class at Anderson Middle School in Berkley teaches kids healthy coping skills.
This article was originally published in 2023 and has been updated in 2025. At West Bloomfield elementary schools, students are learning to cope with life’s
September is National Recovery Month, which works to promote new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices.