Portman, Whitehouse Urge DEA and HHS to Extend Americans’ Access to Telehealth Once the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is Terminated Access to Telehealth will Allow Those Suffering from Substance Use Disorders Easier Access to Critical Medications WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today sent a letter to[Read More…]
National News
Press Release: Guthrie Helps Introduce Bill to Support Substance Use Recovery Resources
Guthrie Helps Introduce Bill to Support Substance Use Recovery Resources WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), who is the Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, helped introduce the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant Act of 2022. This bipartisan bill reauthorizes a[Read More…]
Rep. Axne Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Reauthorize Youth Suicide Prevention Programs, Increase Access to Opioid Addiction Treatment
Mental health issues are plaguing the United States, leading to increased suicide rates and opioid-related substance use. Iowa Representative Cindy Axne has proposed reauthorizing the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act which would approve an increase of over $10 million per year for preventative support for young adults and has already[Read More…]
DEA commits to expand access to MAT
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), the pairing of medications and counseling, has expanded to help individuals struggling with opioid-related substance use disorder. With the goal of making MAT “readily and safely available,” the DEA, alongside HHS, is reaching out to pharmacists and practitioners to support this treatment. Read more here.
New Study Shows Few Patients Adhere to Opioid Treatment Plans
A new study shows that fewer than a third of patients who were given drugs in emergency departments to treat an opioid addiction follow up and continue their treatments. The staggering statistics reveal the importance of addressing the social determinants of addiction and ensuring patients can access clinics and community[Read More…]
Alcohol-related deaths spiked during the pandemic, a study shows
Alcohol consumption significantly increased during the pandemic, as routines were disrupted and anxiety escalated. In fact, The New York Times reports, “that the number of alcohol-related deaths, including from liver disease and accidents, soared, rising to 99,017 in 2020, up from 78,927 the previous year — an increase of 25[Read More…]
Upcoming Biden opioid plan will target treatment, trafficking
Rahul Gupta, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, said, “if it remains easier to get illicit drugs in America than treatment, we’ll never be able to bend the curve in overdoses.” The Biden Administration plans to release its plan for both issues, treatment and trafficking, before June.[Read More…]
HHS announces funding for substance use treatment and prevention programs
The Department of Health and Human Services announced the funding of two grant programs to better the lives of Americans struggling with substance use disorder. The grants aim to decrease the misuse of prescription drugs and expand access to medication-assisted treatment. Read more here.
Telehealth has played an outsized role meeting mental health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic
As more Americans are struggling with mental health and substance use due to the COVID-19 pandemic, studies show many people now depend on telehealth for essential counseling and help. Prior to the pandemic, telehealth appointments accounted for less than 1 percent of outpatient visits, but has since increased to over[Read More…]
Opioid overdose death rate for U.S. Black population is higher than for white
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, caused overdose deaths among the Black population to surpass whites, in 2020, for the first time since 1999. Researchers say closing the gaps to the access of treatment and harm-reduction services could save many lives. Read more here.