U.S. Senate Holds Hearing on Fentanyl Overdose Crisis; End Substance Use Disorder Responds
Today, the U.S. Senate held a hearing on Fighting Fentanyl: The Federal Response to a Growing Crisis. The hearing was held in front of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. End Substance Use Disorder released the following statement:
“We appreciate the Senate for continuing to highlight the worsening overdose crisis and thank the government officials who testified at today’s hearing,” said Erin Schanning, president of End Substance Use Disorder. “At the same time, hearings are not enough. We need bold action from the Senate now to save lives, including by passing the bipartisan Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act (S. 445). During the nearly two-hour hearing, more than 20 loved ones died from an overdose. We understand the problem and know the solutions that can save lives. We urge the Senate to pass legislation now to extend hope and healing to everyone in need.”
The Committee hearing featured testimony from officials from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Health Resources & Services Administration. These federal officials consistently emphasized the need to expand access to treatment proven to work - including medications like buprenorphine that prevent overdoses and support recovery.
The Committee highlighted legislation that End Substance Use Disorder is leading to stem the tide of the overdose crisis. Sen. Maggie Hassan highlighted her work on the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act and SAMHSA Assistant Secretary Miriam Delphin-Rittmon stated the Administration’s full support for removing barriers to the lifesaving treatment that the MAT Act covers.
End Substance Use Disorder is working closely with bipartisan members of Congress and the White House to encourage them to enact comprehensive solutions to save lives and promote healing before the end of the Congressional term.