Painless: The Opioid Musical

1. Select one of more of these statistics to begin the discussion.

The musical ends with several statistics, including:

• Since 1999, over one million Americans have died from drug overdoses.
• In 2021 alone, over 70,000 Americans died from an overdose.
• Nearly half of young people who inject heroin start by misusing prescription pain medicines, which are opioids.
• Most adolescents who misuse prescription pills are given them for free by a friend or relative.

The numbers are alarming and show that everyone is at risk – this applies to each of you in this room.

2. Solicit student’s feedback for the statistics and encourage further conservation about risk.

Example questions:

• What factors have contributed to the opioid epidemic?
• What is prescription misuse?
• What is the connection between opioid use and heroin use?

While opioid use disorder can happen to anyone, there are ways to decrease risk – one of the easiest ways is to avoid opioid misuse.

1. Have students listen to “Get a Pill From Jesse” or lead the lyrics.
2. Solicit student’s feedback on the song and encourage further conversation about avoiding risk.

Example questions:

• What are some of the ways that people in the musical got opioids?
• What are some healthy alternatives to using opioids?
• What are some strategies to handle pressure to misuse opioids?

The musical portrayed several perspectives of how lives can be affected by opioid use disorder differently.

1. Have students listen to or read the lyrics one to one of the following songs:

• “Boy in the Box” – describes the person stealing from his to pay for his addiction.
• “Hey Mr. Doc” – depicts a young woman going from doctor to doctor to receive a prescription.

2. Solicit students’ feedback on the song. Encourage further conversation about who is impacted by the effects of opioid misuse and how.

Example questions:

• How does the song portray the lives of the people suffering from opioid use disorder? What were some consequences they experienced?
• How do you think an opioid use disorder interferes with daily life?

Stigma, or negative stereotypes, about people with substance use disorder can prevent them from seeking help. It is important to remember that substance use disorder is a disease, not a moral failing or character weakness.

1. Solicit students’ feedback on the impact stigma may have on people with substance use disorder.

• Did you know that substance use disorder is defined as a disease?
• What are some ways we can help stop the stigma of substance us disorder.

Healthy recovery is possible – visit findtreatment.gov