The Center for Opioid Research, Education, and Outreach was envisioned by leadership at all levels across Auburn University and the Harrison College of Pharmacy (HCOP) with the goal of tackling an ongoing problem, specifically addressing the state and regional crisis arising as a result of the opioid epidemic. The Provost’s Office and the State of Alabama legislature recognized the value of forming this Center in our everchanging field and committed a state appropriation to fund the Center’s basic operational functions. The Center is comprised of Harrison College of Pharmacy faculty members across all disciplines: Pharmacy Practice, Drug Discovery and Development (DDD), and Health Outcomes, Research, and Policy (HORP).

The Center’s mission is “to serve the citizens of Alabama and the region by becoming a recognized leader in advocacy, research, education, and outreach by improving the health and wellbeing of those impacted by opioids and substance use disorders.” The Center plans to achieve its mission by engaging actively within the framework of its strategic plan comprising its three pillars, ensuring a pathway to success: research, education, and outreach. COACH affiliated research projects are collaborative efforts in which the research groups participate in partnerships with funding agencies from various federal and state government departments as well as private industry and foundations to conduct research and present educational programming throughout the State, region, and nation.