The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the current administration will fund states with 1.8 billion dollars to combat the opioid crisis. The main objective of the funding is to increase access to treatment and obtain real-time data across the states on overdose deaths.
The funding is a part of the on-going battle the HHS has with the opioid epidemic, starting with 2017 when HHS announced the “5-Point Strategy to Combat the Opioids Crisis”. The HHS believes better prevention, treatment, recovery, data, and pain management will relieve the U.S. of the opioid epidemic, including better research and targeting of overdose-reversing drugs.
Services Taking Action Against Opioid Abuse
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declares 900 million in the next three years for cooperative states. The funding will aim to advance the understanding of overdoses regarding opioids. Also, increase prevention and response activities, starting with the release of 301 million in the first year.
The CDC is apart of the HHS’s strategy against the opioid crisis, to prevent opioid abuse, overdose, and death. The CDC distributes messages, resources, and funding to help the fight against opioid abuse.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will award 932 million in all states, which is part of its State Opioid Response grants. The goal of the State Opioid Response grants is to provide funding to support prevention, treatment and recovery services by state needs.
Conclusion
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states 130 people die per day on opioid overdoses. Abuse of prescription drugs, painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl has become a threat to our society, leading the administration to take action.
The funding expands efforts to increase treatment and medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Since the new administration took office, buprenorphine (Suboxone) and naltrexone (Narcan) prescriptions have increased, while painkiller and heroin misuse has reportedly decreased.