Dr. Gupta Applauds Omnibus Appropriations Bill That Will Expand Access to Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

Bill also includes an increase in funding for states and territories working to address addiction and the overdose crisis while providing law enforcement officials dedicated tools to reduce the supply and availability of illicitly manufactured fentanyl-related substances (FRS)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), released a statement on the bipartisan omnibus appropriations bill passed by Congress that includes key provisions to expand access to treatment for substance use disorder, provide additional resources to first responders on the front lines of the overdose epidemic, and extend important controls enabling law enforcement officials to reduce the supply and availability of illicitly manufactured fentanyl-related substances (FRS) driving overdose deaths. In outlining his Unity Agenda for the nation, President Biden called for bipartisan action to beat the overdose epidemic and save lives.

“We are at an inflection point with an American dying from an overdose every five minutes around the clock. This bipartisan legislation is a historic step forward in achieving the President’s goal of universal access to treatment for substance use disorder,” said Dr. Gupta, a physician who has treated people with substance use disorder. “Removing the X-waiver, a burdensome and unnecessary requirement for medical providers, is a critical step at a time when fewer than 1 out 10 Americans who need treatment can access it. With this longstanding barrier removed, I urge my fellow healthcare providers to join in treating addiction and substance use disorder which impacts so many Americans. This bill also provides much-needed resources to those on the front lines of this crisis and ensures that our law enforcement officers have the critical tools they need to keep dangerous substances like illicitly manufactured fentanyl off the streets and away from our communities.”

Read about key actions the Biden-Harris Administration has taken to make treatment for substance use disorder more accessible and other actions to expand access to prevention, harm reduction, recovery support services, and supply reduction efforts HERE.

Read about the President’s Strategy HERE.

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