The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in coordination with the heads of other departments and agencies, shall advance education and awareness regarding the risks related to misuse and abuse of opioids, as appropriate, which may include developing or improving existing programs, conducting activities, and awarding grants that advance the education and awareness of—

the public, including patients and consumers—

(A) generally; and

(B) regarding such risks related to unused opioids and the dispensing options under section 829(f) of title 21, as applicable; and

providers, which may include—

(A) providing for continuing education on appropriate prescribing practices;

(B) education related to applicable State or local prescriber limit laws, information on the use of non-addictive alternatives for pain management, and the use of overdose reversal drugs, as appropriate;

(C) disseminating and improving the use of evidence-based opioid prescribing guidelines across relevant health care settings, as appropriate, and updating guidelines as necessary;

(D) implementing strategies, such as best practices, to encourage and facilitate the use of prescriber guidelines, in accordance with State and local law;

(E) disseminating information to providers about prescribing options for controlled substances, including such options under section 829(f) of title 21, as applicable; and

(F) disseminating information, as appropriate, on the National Pain Strategy developed by or in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Health; and

(3) other appropriate entities.

The education and awareness campaigns under subsection (a) shall address—

(1) the dangers of opioid misuse and abuse;

(2) the prevention of opioid misuse and abuse, including through non-addictive treatment options, safe disposal options for prescription medications, and other applicable safety precautions; and

(3) the detection of early warning signs of addiction.

The education and awareness campaigns under subsection (a) shall, as appropriate—

(1) take into account any association between prescription opioid abuse and heroin use;

emphasize—

(A) the similarities between heroin and prescription opioids; and

(B) the effects of heroin and prescription opioids on the human body; and

(3) bring greater public awareness to the dangerous effects of fentanyl when mixed with heroin or abused in a similar manner.

(Pub. L. 114–198, title I, § 102, July 22, 2016, 130 Stat. 698; Pub. L. 115–271, title VII, § 7161(b), Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4061.)