After years of unfunded recommendations, the federal government will soon add critical funding to the war on drug addiction. The Biden administration is getting ready to commit billions of dollars to help fight the addiction epidemic.
Federal Funding is Needed ASAP
This week, the CDC released a stark report showing that the United States has had more drug overdoses in twelve months than ever recorded. The grim milestone shows that the opioid epidemic has been silently raging, as predicted, alongside the pandemic. The cost has been over 82,000 deaths between September 2020 and September 2021.
Local governments and other policymakers are vying for more Medication-Assisted Treatment and overdose prevention assistance. Addiction recovery advocates want more access to inpatient treatment and harm reduction strategies, such as distributing Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, on the ground.
Shifting Towards Treatment, Not Punishment
President Biden has made it clear that he prefers for addicted persons in the criminal justice system to be offered treatment rather than jail time. Last March, he signed a law expanding and funding access to behavioral health services. He made an additional four billion dollars available for this mission.
President Biden is also requesting $10.7 billion from Congress to support medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and other mental health services. He also specified a focus on overpoliced communities, such as Black and Brown communities in urban areas and Native American reservations.
Money Desperately Needed
Many communities across America are struggling to maintain their behavioral health facilities and treatment centers during the pandemic. Many have had trouble getting clients or keeping people safe.
The money Biden has reserved is critical to begin the fight against opioid addiction and other drugs. Fentanyl has become a deadly mainstay of the opioid addiction war. It’s responsible for most overdose deaths in America and has quickly become a hazard on the street.
Network With Us!
Stay connected and informed! We’re here to help addiction recovery professionals thrive in the era of COVID-19 and beyond. Join one of our free online meetings to learn more about our organization and our networking or education events.