National Safety Council Seeks Stigma Experience for New Workplace Overdose Reversal Initiative

In 2021, nearly 10% of workplace deaths resulted from drug overdoses; however, with the availability of over-the-counter overdose reversal products, organizations are increasingly engaging and educating communities on these life-saving treatments. The National Safety Council (NSC) is launching an initiative to inform and encourage workplaces to have overdose reversal products on site. To kick off the initiative, NSC is seeking stories from individuals with direct experience with stigma or opioid overdoses in the workplace.

If you or someone you know are interested in sharing a story, please contact Jane Terry at [email protected] for more information.

Sponsors Push for the Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act to be part of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

Senators Tim Kaine (VA) and Joni Ernst (IA) are working with other Senators on the Armed Services Committee to add the Disrupt Fentanyl Trafficking Act of 2023 as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill would classify fentanyl trafficking as a national security threat, direct the Pentagon to develop a fentanyl-specific counter-drug strategy, collaborate with the Mexican military and defense officials on the strategy, and coordinate efforts between military and federal law enforcement agencies. There is bipartisan and bicameral support for this legislation; however, there continues to be partisan divides on the exact role of the military.

Articles & Resources

PolitcoPro—Kaine and Ernst Will Seek to Add Fentanyl Provision to Defense Policy Bill (Attached)

U.S. Department of the Treasury Sanctions Enablers of Counterfeit, Fentanyl-Laced Pill Production

On Tuesday, May 30th, the United States Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 17 individuals and organizations for their role in the illegal trafficking of counterfeit drugs, including fentanyl. The sanctions focus on seven businesses and six individuals in China, and one business and three individuals in Mexico. A primary characteristic of the sanctions center on the sales of precursor chemicals, die molds, and pill press machines. The counterfeit pills produced from the sale of these products mirror, and in some cases are indistinguishable from, legitimate pharmaceuticals. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, noted counterfeit pharmaceuticals’ massive impact, saying “Counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl constitute a leading cause of these deaths, devastating thousands of American families each year. We remain committed to using all authorities against enablers of illicit drug production to disrupt this deadly global production and counter the threat posed by these drugs.”

Articles & Resources

U.S. Department of the Treasury—Treasury Sanctions China—and Mexico-Based Enablers of Counterfeit, Fentanyl-Laced Pill Production

What We Read Last Week

Several articles were published last week pertaining to the opioid epidemic, covering a variety of different components of the topic. Links to relevant articles are provided below.

Axios—San Francisco Pilots New Crisis Response Team

JAMA Network Open—Pharmacy Availability of Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in the US

United States Department of Homeland Security—DHS Operation Blue Lotus and Four Horseman Stopped Nearly 10,000 Pounds of Fentanyl, Led to 284 Arrests

U.S. Department of Treasury—Treasury Sanctions China-and Mexico-Based Enablers of Counterfeit, Fentanyl-Laced Pill Production

Washington Post—Appeals Court Paves Way for Purdue Pharma Opioids Settlement

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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