The Bipartisan Opioid Task Force, led by U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick
(PA-01), Annie Kuster (NH-02), and Donald Norcross (NJ-01), yesterday
hosted a virtual discussion on addressing the dual crises of the
COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid epidemic. The Task Force Members heard
from substance use disorder experts about the challenges associated with
the COVID-19 pandemic that can lead to an increase in substance misuse
as Americans struggle with the current public health crisis and economic
downturn.
“While the COVID-19 pandemic has turned many of our lives upside down,
one of the groups that has largely been overlooked throughout this
ordeal, has been those suffering from opioid addiction. Just because the
COVID-19 pandemic started did not mean that the opioid public health
crisis ended,” said Fitzpatrick. “In fact, social distancing measures
and concerns over the virus are adversely affecting how many people can
be treated for Substance Use Disorder. Not only have treatment
facilities and capabilities been challenged during this time, but those
suffering from SUDs have faced many other difficulties. We must continue
to work to help those in need during this difficult time.”
The task force was joined by:
• Bradley Stein, director of the National Institute of Health (NIH)
funded Opioid Policies, Tools, and Information Center (OPTIC) at Rand
Corporation
• Regina LaBelle, program director of the Addiction and Public Policy
Initiative at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law
• Michele Merritt, president and CEO of New Futures
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA), communities across the United States will
experience increases in depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief as a
result of the pandemic. Because of this, there is an expected increase
in substance misuse as lives are impacted by the health and economic
consequences of COVID-19.
The Bipartisan Opioid Task Force announced its 2020 Legislative Agenda
earlier this year. For information, visit
https://kuster.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-opioid-task-force-announces-2020-legislative-agenda.
