An ad hoc committee will plan a one and a half day, public workshop on the infectious disease consequences of the opioid epidemic. Participants will discuss the scope of the problem, giving particular attention to viral hepatitis, HIV, and endocarditis. Some attention will be given to reducing the infectious disease co-morbidities of injection drug use, especially strategies that emphasize empathy, respectful treatment, and patient satisfaction.

Speakers at the workshop will present on how the opioid epidemic has changed the epidemiology of infectious disease, particularly in Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. In panel and open discussion, participants should discuss strategies to prevent and treat infections in people who inject drugs, especially ways to work efficiently though the existing public health and medical systems. Effective novel strategies should also be discussed, and may include analysis of promising European or Canadian programs. Participants should give equal attention to strategies that seem realistic, making efficient use of existing resources, as well as those that could not be implemented without additional funds.

The public workshop will feature invited presentations and panel discussions. An ad hoc committee will organize the workshop, select speakers and panelists, and serve as discussion moderators. A brief proceedings of the presentations and discussions at the workshop will be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.