End Substance Use Disorder Recognizes Rahul Gupta’s Confirmation as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy

Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Rahul Gupta as the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Director Gupta will lead the federal response to the overdose crisis. End Substance Use Disorder released the following statement:

“Dr. Gupta has a depth of experience that is desperately needed as we face an accelerating overdose crisis,” said Erin Schanning, president of End Substance Use Disorder. “With more than 250 people dying everyday from overdoses, the time for emergency action to open access to treatment and bolster recovery is now. We look forward to working with Director Gupta to destigmatize proven treatments so we can save lives and support the healing of our loved ones. As Director Gupta embarks on this role, we call on him to support all evidence-based solutions to ending the overdose crisis.”

The Office of National Drug Control Policy coordinates the policy on substance use disorder for all federal agencies. The head of the office is commonly called the “drug czar” - a term that President Biden coined as a senator nearly thirty years ago.

Dr. Rahul Gupta previously served as the health commissioner of West Virginia and was the top health official at the March of Dimes, which advocates for maternal health. While health commissioner of West Virginia, Dr. Gupta was involved in the closure of a syringe service program, which provides life-saving care to people with substance use disorder. We are looking to Dr. Gupta to support those programs and all evidence-based solutions to the overdose crisis in his new role. Dr. Gupta is the first physician to hold the position, demonstrating the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to a public health response to the overdose crisis.