TODAY: Join the September 25 All-Participants Meeting at 3PM Eastern with Presentations from Senate Staff on FEND Off Fentanyl Act and SAMHSA on Peer Behavioral Health Workforce Standards

CEPOP will be hosting its September All-Participants Teleconference today at 3:00 pm ET. Today’s meeting includes a presentation from Audrey Smith from Senator Joe Manchin’s office to discuss Improving Medicaid Programs’ Response to Opioid Overdose Victims and Enhancing Addiction Care Act. Please contact Sanjyot Sangodkar for meeting details.

Secretary of State Blinken Convenes International Leaders to Combat Synthetic Drug Threats

Earlier this year, the State Department announced the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats to tackle the ongoing public health crisis. In July, the group first convened more than 80 countries. This month, three working groups were launched focusing on preventing illicit manufacturing and trafficking and the chemical precursors, the detection of emerging drug threats, and promoting public health solutions. On September 18th, aligning with a United Nations General Assembly, the United States hosted an event called, “Addressing the Public Health and Security Threats of Synthetic Drugs Through Global Cooperation” to bring together international representatives, organizations, the private sector, and civil societies to discuss ideas and strategies to address the public health threat from synthetic drugs. In Secretary Blinken’s event statement, he noted the upcoming appointment of a U.S. envoy to handle diplomacy related to this issue, an upcoming resolution to the United Nations General Assembly asking for international action, and proposed partnerships between the federal government and technology companies to fight the online battle with illicit drugs.

Articles & Resources

Press Release—Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken Addresses Global Synthetic Drug Threats at U.S.-Hosted Side Event on the Margins of the 78th United Nations General Assembly

Remarks—Secretary Anthony J. Blinken at the Addressing the Public Health and Security Threat of Synthetic Drugs through Global Cooperation Event

National Safety Council Launches Program to Tackle Workplace Overdose Deaths

Last week, the National Safety Council (NSC) launched the Respond Ready Workplace program to combat the ever-increasing amount of overdose deaths while at work. Since 2011, on-the-job overdose deaths have increased 536%, making it the leading cause of unintentional death. The program uses three pillars – advocacy and education, employee training, and naloxone distribution – to address workplace overdose deaths The majority of this project will be focused on educating workers about the opioid crisis, the importance of naloxone, how to administer naloxone, and how to respond to workplace overdoses. Additionally, the program will assist employers in methods of obtaining and incorporating naloxone into their workplace. Lorraine Martin, NSC President and CEO said, “The Respond Ready Workplace program is a pivotal step forward in reducing overdose deaths and protecting workers everywhere…The opioid crisis has reached every corner of society, affecting workers in all industries and occupations. By equipping workplaces with naloxone and the knowledge to use it, we can make a tangible difference in saving lives, from the workplace to any place.” The NSC announcement follows the Biden Administration leaders and Members of Congress receiving naloxone training and supporting the implementation of naloxone availability in government spaces.

Articles & Resources

Press Release—NSC Launches New Program to Combat Soaring Workplace Overdose Deaths

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.

Department of Homeland Security—DHS Homeland Security Investigations Announces Strategy to Combat Illicit Opioids

JAMA Network—Buprenorphine Dose and Time to Discontinuation Among Patients With Opioid Use Disorder in the Era of Fentanyl

Politico—The opioid epidemic’s cruel evolution

Senator Ed Markey—Sens Markey, Manchin Sound Alarm on Potential Dangers of FDA Enacting Opioid Treatment Investigation

University of Michigan—Use of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder After Overdoses Among Medicaid Enrollees

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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