A Commentary on Nurse-Driven Approaches to Opioid Settlement Fund Utilization at the Intersection of Infectious Disease in the United States

This commentary seeks to inform registered nurses how to participate in opioid abatement decision making. Legal structures of opioid abatement spending are presented, as well as spending limitations citing federal and state law. Areas of advocacy at the intersection of infectious disease (ID), substance use disorder (SUD), and nursing, including harm reduction, scope of practice policies, and billing laws are discussed. Examples of nurse-led ID prevention and SUD treatment programs are offered. Overall, nurses with ID and SUD expertise can influence opioid abatement spending and nurse-related health policy.