The Biden administration has unveiled a new funding package of over $450 million to address the national overdose crisis. The objective is to reduce overdose deaths, support recovery efforts, and launch information campaigns targeting young people.
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff emphasized the severity of the overdose epidemic, acknowledging the devastating impact it has had on families across the nation. He stated that substance abuse disorders affect everyone, regardless of location or political affiliation.
Emhoff and Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), are set to meet with parents who have lost loved ones to drug overdose as part of International Overdose Awareness Day. This event marks the second year of their collaboration with the affected community.
Out of the allocated funding, ONDCP plans to invest more than $20.5 million in 164 new Drug-Free Communities Support Programs, aimed at supporting locally-based evidence-based prevention efforts. Additionally, $1 million will be dedicated to a Fentanyl awareness campaign for young people, and over $18.9 million will be used to disrupt illicit drug trafficking operations.
Gupta emphasized that the administration is determined to target traffickers responsible for bringing drugs into the United States and causing harm to Americans. Officials highlighted President Biden’s firm stance on addressing this issue by taking action against Chinese chemical companies, individuals, and Mexican cartels, imposing sanctions where necessary.
Furthermore, the investment includes more than $57.6 million awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to connect Americans with substance use treatment and recovery support services. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will distribute $279 million in Overdose Data to Action grants to expand harm reduction strategies at state and local levels.
The Health Resources and Services Administration will also allocate over $80 million to rural communities for implementing strategies to address the overdose risk posed by illicit fentanyl and other opioids.
Neera Tanden, White House domestic policy adviser, emphasized the administration’s dedication to disrupting the flow of illicit fentanyl into the country. Tanden cited the recent approval of two naloxone products by the Food and Drug Administration and anticipated their availability at retail pharmacies in the near future. She expects this development to significantly decrease fentanyl-related overdose deaths.
President Biden expressed his condolences to families who have lost loved ones to overdoses on Overdose Awareness Day. He highlighted the hope found in the 20 million Americans recovering from substance use disorder and pledged to ensure sufficient resources are available to combat the overdose epidemic.
Emhoff shared that the ultimate goal of the new funding is to eliminate the stigma surrounding overdoses, invest in behavioral health resources, and equip communities with the necessary tools to fight addiction. He also mentioned that overdose rates remained stable in 2022 after notable increases in 2019 and 2021.
When questioned about the data, senior administration officials explained that while overdose deaths related to other substances are declining or stabilizing, Fentanyl overdose deaths continue to rise due to the increased potency of the drug.
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