End Substance Use Disorder Recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month

End Substance Use Disorder released a statement today to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month:

“We celebrate the rich history of Hispanic people and the contributions they have made to our country,” said Erin Schanning, president of End Substance Use Disorder. “Hispanic Americans have been champions for equality. We recognize their leadership in ensuring that we all have access to the support we need to be well regardless of our ethnicity. Despite these contributions, overdose deaths and substance use disorder have disproportionately affected Hispanic people. We call on lawmakers to pass legislation that builds equal access to healthcare, jobs, and housing.”

The Hispanic community has suffered from steep rises in overdose deaths. At the same time, Hispanic people lack equal access to treatment, harm reduction, and recovery supports delivered with an understanding of their culture.

Secretary Xavier Becerra, who leads the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has been a strong leader for expanding access to proven treatments for all people in need. We applaud his leadership and the role of all Hispanic people in building a safer and more compassionate country.