Framing, Narratives, and the Overdose Crisis

Narratives and frames have shaped the overdose crisis since its early stages. Efforts to control knowledge about the role of opioids in chronic pain have influenced clinical guidelines and prescribing behaviour. Dominant narratives shape policy by influencing how problems are defined, and which solutions are considered appropriate. A more nuanced understanding of how framing shapes interactions among stakeholders, including patients, clinicians, advocacy groups, industry, educators, and regulators, can clarify these dynamics. Engaging multiple perspectives, rather than relying on a single dominant narrative, offers a more effective path for addressing complex public health emergencies such as the overdose crisis.