The overdose epidemic has taken a heartbreaking toll on our Nation, claiming the lives of far too many People and devastating households and communities throughout the nation. Throughout Overdose Consciousness Week, we renew our dedication to taking daring motion to stop overdoses and associated deaths. We proceed our efforts to boost prevention, hurt discount, remedy, and restoration assist companies for people with substance use dysfunction and dependancy. We affirm our obligation to cease the stream of illicit medicine from reaching our communities.
Because the overdose epidemic has developed, artificial opioids –significantly illicitly manufactured fentanyl — now drive the vast majority of overdose deaths. In 2021, greater than 100,000 individuals died from an overdose, an approximate 15 p.c enhance from the earlier yr. Each loss is a painful reminder that, now greater than ever, we should deal with our Nation’s overdose epidemic.
As I mentioned throughout my State of the Union Handle, beating the opioid overdose epidemic is an pressing precedence for the Nation and a key pillar of my Administration’s Unity Agenda. That’s why the American Rescue Plan supplied almost $4 billion to strengthen our Nation’s psychological well being and substance use care infrastructure. The Division of Justice has seized document quantities of illicit medicine and supplied $94 million to grownup re‑entry and recidivism discount applications, together with virtually $30 million for substance use dysfunction remedy. The Division of Well being and Human Companies launched a complete Overdose Prevention Technique, growing entry to companies for affected people and households. The White Home Workplace of Nationwide Drug Management Coverage launched its first Nationwide Drug Management Technique, specializing in untreated dependancy and drug trafficking, two vital drivers of the overdose epidemic. We are making important strides in ending the stigmatization surrounding dependancy so individuals can entry the assistance they want.
We’re additionally altering how we assist individuals with substance use dysfunction in quite a lot of methods. We’re working to broaden entry to high-impact hurt discount interventions like naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal treatment, and to take away limitations to efficient remedy. We’re addressing the underlying components that result in substance use dysfunction and dependancy. We’re focusing on drug trafficking organizations by disrupting the working capital they should maintain their legal enterprises.
These are necessary steps, however we all know extra work lies forward. That’s the reason my funds requires an historic funding of $42.5 billion for Nationwide Drug Management Program Companies to assist the Nationwide Drug Management Technique, together with $24.3 billion to assist the growth of evidence-based prevention, remedy, hurt discount, and restoration assist companies. This request additionally consists of growing funding to scale back illicit drug provides and enhance the well being and security of our communities.
Overdose Consciousness Week is a time to recollect these tragically misplaced to overdose and the ache of the households who’re left behind. However additionally it is a chance to recommit ourselves to working collectively to construct secure, wholesome, and resilient communities. By adopting evidence-based approaches to decreasing overdose dangers and reducing limitations to remedy and assist, we are able to save extra American lives.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the USA of America, by advantage of the authority vested in me by the Structure and the legal guidelines of the USA, do hereby proclaim August 28 by September 3, 2022, as Overdose Consciousness Week. I name upon residents, Authorities companies, civil society organizations, healthcare suppliers, and analysis establishments to lift consciousness of substance use dysfunction to fight stigmatization, to advertise remedy and rejoice restoration, and to strengthen our collective efforts to stop overdose deaths. August thirty first additionally marks Overdose Consciousness Day, on which we honor and keep in mind those that have misplaced their lives to the drug overdose epidemic.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I’ve hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of August, within the yr of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the 2 hundred and forty-seventh.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
