p h i l a m e d s o c .org FEATURE A Spirited and Sometimes Painful Debate on Opioids By: Ludwig Koeneke-Hernandez, Sidney Kimmel Medical College Class of 2018 This year's second opinion debate had contestants from Jefferson and Drexel fiercely debating the topic of opiate use for chronic, non-cancer pain control. It was a wonderful discussion with great points coming out of both teams which kept the debate lively and even heated at times. Jefferson took the stance arguing in favor of continuing opiate use for chronic non-cancer pain while Drexel took the opposite. The debate had contestants touch upon subjects as alternative treatments for pain control, the status of the opiate epidemic, and critiques on the current opiate prescribing system that is in place. The most wonderful thing about these debates is that it allows for an open forum in where students can explore the various angles and opinions regarding different hot button issues. We often form quick opinions and end up entrenching ourselves within them. By doing so, we close ourselves off to the possibility of alternate solutions to these very complex problems. Debating challenges the contestant and viewer to step outside their comfort zone and embrace viewpoints other than their own. 14 Philadelphia Medicine : Summer 2017https://philamedsoc.org/