CEPOP to be Recognized at CADCA’s Annual Drug-Free Kids Campaign Awards
CEPOP will be awarded the Champion for Drug-Free Kids Award at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) 23rd Annual Drug-Free Kids Campaign Awards Dinner. CEPOP and CADCA have partnered to advance policies and promote innovative solutions that mitigate the opioid epidemic. CADCA’s Drug-Free Kids Campaign aims to prevent substance use in youth through community-based initiatives that encourage safe, healthy, and drug-free communities. The event, which will be held on October 14th, will recognize stakeholders from industry, government, and non-profit organizations who are leading efforts to address substance misuse, addiction, and treatment. More information about the event can be found here.
Articles & Resources
CADCA – Honorees
Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Dr. Rahul Gupta Nomination
Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the nomination of Dr. Rahul Gupta, who President Biden nominated in July to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and tackle the challenges of the current opioid crisis. Dr. Gupta currently serves as Chief Medical & Health Officer at March of Dimes and, prior to joining March of Dimes in 2018, Dr. Gupta served as the State Health Officer for West Virginia. As previously reported, some advocates had expressed concern over Dr. Gupta’s nomination due to his role in limiting harm reduction efforts through the closure of a syringe exchange program in Charleston, West Virginia. However, several lawmakers, including Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-VW) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), have publicly expressed their support, citing confidence in Dr. Gupta’s medical knowledge and experience coordinating West Virginia’s response to the opioid epidemic. In a statement, Senator Durban said, “Dr. Gupta would be the first medical doctor to serve in [this] position, and he is certainly qualified. Among his extensive medical and public health experience, Dr. Gupta led West Virginia’s response to the opioid crisis. His leadership helped the state turn the corner in fighting this devastating epidemic… Dr. Gupta will serve our nation well as Director of National Drug Control Policy, and I look forward to supporting his nomination.” ONDCP is a component of the Executive Office of the President and is responsible for coordinating federal drug policy. The head of ONDCP runs the office and reports to the President.
Articles & Resources
The New York Times – Biden’s Pick for Drug Czar Draws Mixed Reviews
Senator Dick Durban – Judiciary Committee Advances Nominations Of Rahul Gupta & Elizabeth Prelogar
What We Read Last Week
Several articles were published last week pertaining to the opioid epidemic, covering a variety of different components of the issue. Links to relevant articles are provided below.
AMAC – Drug Crisis – Fresh Perspective
Bloomberg Government – Breakthrough Covid Looms Larger for Those Fighting Addiction
CBS New York – Gov. Hochul Signs Bills Aimed At Combating Opioid Crisis
CNN – FDA still without a permanent leader as clock ticks down on acting head
Congressman Tom Emmer – Emmer Advocates for Alternative Pain Management Options to Address the Opioid Epidemic
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland – Strickland Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Support Foster Youth Affected by the Opioid Crisis
FindLaw – Cherokee Nation Settles for $75 Million After Leading Opioid Lawsuits
Governor Tom Wolf – Gov. Wolf: More Than $12 Million in Grant Funding Awarded to Improve Outcomes for Individuals in Recovery from Substance Use Disorder
Health Affairs – To Overcome America’s Opioid Crisis And Reduce Disparities, Coordinated Measurement Is Critical
Inside Health Policy – Opioid Treatment Programs: Examine Take-Home Dose Policy Post-PHE
JAMA – Mandated Education for Opioid Prescribers Is Up for Discussion
JAMA – US Emergency Department Visits Attributed to Medication Harms, 2017-2019
NY Attorney General – Attorney General James to Deliver Up to $1.5 Billion to Local Communities Throughout NYS to Combat Opioid Crisis
ProPublica – McKinsey Never Told the FDA It Was Working for Opioid Makers While Also Working for the Agency
Psychology Today – Addiction in the Elderly
Roll Call – Manchin’s opioids tax plan faces pushback from lobbying groups
Salon – Democrats extend Trump drug policy that widened racial disparities — now Biden wants to keep it
SDPB News – Tribal health board premieres new animated series to combat opioid use
Senator Maggie Hassan – Senator Hassan Calls on the DEA to Combat Rise in Counterfeit, Dangerous Drugs
The Lancet – Addressing fentanyl use disorder with fentanyl-assisted treatment
The Verge – Snap is taking action to address fentanyl dealing on Snapchat
The Washington Post – Major pharmacies face first federal trial over role in nation’s opioid crisis
WKSU – The Rural Doctor is In
This Week’s Calendar
In the week ahead, there are no relevant events or hearings noticed at this time. In the event that there are any changes to the schedule for this week, we will make additional information available.
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