End Substance Use Disorder Applauds President Biden’s Strong Leadership on Overdose Crisis in State of the Union
This evening in his State of the Union address, President Biden called for unified action on the overdose crisis. The President specifically called for action to “get rid of outdated rules that stop doctors from prescribing treatments” - a policy that End Substance Use Disorder and its coalition of over 410 organizations have championed.
Erin Schanning, president of End Substance Use Disorder, released the following statement:
“End Substance Use Disorder applauds President Biden for his compassionate and strong leadership to ensure our loved ones are safe from overdoses. We praise the President for standing for common-sense solutions that can save lives. President Biden’s message of hope and belonging provided comfort to the millions of families who are affected by the overdose crisis.
With more than 1 million loved ones lost to overdoses since the opioid epidemic began, it is critical that we expand access to proven treatment and support as quickly as possible. The President’s commitment to building universal access to life-saving solutions is the leadership our country needs right now. We are proud to stand with the President in ensuring that we all have equal access to the treatment and support we need to heal.”
The White House outlined a comprehensive approach to addressing the overdose crisis. In addition to eliminating outdated rules that place unnecessary administrative burdens on providers in treating substance use disorder, the President called for increased funding for prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery, the permanent adoption of telehealth treatment and methadone take-home flexibilities, the expansion of access to naloxone, and increased treatment in hospitals and correctional facilities, among other provisions.
Read End Substance Use Disorder’s letter to President Biden regarding the State of the Union here.
To speak with an End Substance Use Disorder expert, please contact us at media@endsud.org.