New funding for heroin, prescription opioid abuse

Concerns over the number of people who die annually because of opioid medications prompt a proposal from the White House for extra funds to help curb this epidemic. During an appeal for an extra 1.1 billion dollars to help curb the scourge of drug addiction, President Obama said he was stunned by the statistic that more people die annually in America from drug overdose than in motor vehicle accidents. Most of these deaths, he inferred, involved legal prescription drugs. As outlined in the white house proposal for new funding for heroin and prescription drug abuse the funds will be used to…

1. Expand access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence and addiction.  According to the proposal, approximately $920 million will be allocated between states to support cooperative agreements that will enhance treatment and reduce services costs for those battling addiction.   
2. Another $50 million was slated for medication assisted programs for approximately 700 substance abuse and mental health treatment providers all across the nation.
3. $30 million was earmarked to assess the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment programs as a means of improving the quality of care provided for patients battling opioid addiction.
4. An additional $500 million was also included in the budget to enhance the efforts of the Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human services towards preventing or minimizing prescription and heroin overdose by…

• Increasing the availability of medication-assisted treatment programs
• Providing greater access to Naloxone; a drug overdose reversal agent
• Expanding state prescription drug overdose prevention strategies
• Supporting drug enforcement activities.
• Expanding drug treatment care in rural areas
• Improving drug dispensation training for physicians
• Enhancing drug monitoring procedures

Studies show a direct link between the medical and non-medical use of prescription medications and heroin abuse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2012 more than 259 million prescriptions were written for Americans by their health care providers. The link between prescription drugs and heroin was attributed to the increase of drug overdose deaths that occurred following that alarming dispensation of opioids.  Based on CDC records. at least 8,200 people died from opioid-related overdose in 2013.

Although no one or area of the country is immune to drug addiction and overdose deaths, some areas have been impacted more than others such Ohio, Kentucky and New Hampshire. Republic Senator Rob Portman from Ohio observed that the bill was the only bipartisan legislation that includes a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to help communities like his to combat this epidemic.

If approved, delegation of the $1.1 billion dollars proposed by President Obama will occur over a two-year period. Government officials say the need for services is twice as much as is currently available. This initiative, if successful will also help to fill the gap presented by the number of people who do not have access to treatment right now.  

Director of National Drug Control Policy at the White House Michael Botticelli, alluding to a number of stories of people who found it difficult to get the treatment they needed said the goal is to have treatment that is available on demand.  

According to Portman, who just happens to be one of the authors of the bill, it is supported doctors, nurses, first responders as well as those in recovery and other experts in the field. Although not all of the proposed bill is expected to be approved by Congress, the drug epidemic has touched so many people’s lives on so many levels that, many believe, will make a difference in garnering greater bi-partisan support.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.