Wrapping up 2023
This is the last Weekly Opioid Policy Report until January 8, 2024. On behalf of the CEPOP Steering Committee and operations team, we wish you a happy holidays and Happy New Year. To review prior versions of the CEPOP Weekly Opioid Policy Report, please visit the Latest News section of the CEPOP website. Thank you!
CEPOP Publishes White Paper on the Policy Roundtable on Naloxone Access in Schools
On October 10, 2023, the Collaborative for Effective Prescription Opioid Policies (CEPOP) convened stakeholders to discuss policy approaches to expand access to naloxone in school settings. The virtual event convened thought leaders and participants across federal and state government, school health services, student groups, healthcare professional associations, and advocacy organizations. The primary goal of the roundtable was to identify potential actions to accelerate access to naloxone in schools, and students’ ability to access naloxone. The white paper summarizes the proceedings and recommends next steps.
Articles & Resources
CEPOP—Policy Roundtable on Expanding Naloxone Access in Schools
Senate HELP Hearing on SUPPORT 2.0
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hosted an Executive Session reviewing S. 3393 SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act. The SUPPORT Act, originally passed in 2018, lapsed in September, leaving countless programs without funding. On December 12th, SUPPORT was reported favorably out of HELP. The bill includes investments in training programs for first responders, research and surveillance on drug-related public health concerns, support for prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP), appropriations for research and treatment for impacted individuals, and workforce incentives. Amendments introduced at Tuesday’s hearing include guidance for non-opioid treatments for pain, requirements for electronic prescriptions, and research review on peer counseling practices.
Articles & Resources
Senate HELP—Executive Session on S. 1840, S. 3392, S. 3393, and S.644
Senate Introduces Legislation to Support Pregnant and Postpartum Women
On December 5th, Senators Patty Murray (WA), Susan Collins (ME), and Tammy Baldwin (WI) introduced the Promoting Maternal and Child Health Through Substance Use Prevention Act to reauthorize substance use disorder programs for pregnant and postpartum women. The bill would continue to fund programs outlined in the 2018 SUPPORT Act. Language includes programs for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention programming and research on prevention opportunities and data collection for prenatal and postnatal substance abuse. The bill will also support research on prevention, treatment, and cessation efforts and outreach and education efforts. This announcement follows the National Institute on Drug Abuse study, which found increases in overdose deaths among pregnant and postpartum women. The SUPPORT 2.0 bill out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee includes language in Section 105 and Section 201 to support research on and treatment for this demographic.
Articles & Resources
Senator Patty Murray—Senator Murray, Collins, Baldwin Introduce Legislation to Reauthorize Important Substance Use Disorder Prevention Programs for Pregnant and Postpartum Women
S.3370—Bill Text
S. 3393—SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act Section by Section
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.
APhA—Pharmacist are essential in managing the opioid epidemic
DOJ—Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Case Alleging Pennsylvania Jail Unlawfully Denied Access to Medication to Treat Opioid Use Disorder
KFF—Millions in Opioid Settlement Funds Sit Untouched as Overdose Deaths Rise
NBC—Could a little-known psychedelic drug treat opioid addiction? Kentucky wants to find out.
Senator Ed Markey—Senators Markey, Paul Celebrate Committee Passage of Lifesaving Methadone Expansion Legislation
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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