Collaborative Applauds HHS Move to Expand Efforts to Confront Opioid Abuse Epidemic

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 27, 2015) – The Collaborative for Effective Prescription Opioid Policies (CEPOP) provided a ringing endorsement today for new actions to confront the opioid abuse epidemic announced March 26 by Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. The Administration’s initiative includes new funding to support health professional decision-making, the use of naloxone (a medication used to counter the effects of opioid overdose), and the expansion of medication-assisted treatment.

“Far too many families have been devastated by this epidemic,” observed CEPOP co-founder, Hon. Mary Bono. “These strategies are part of a comprehensive and coordinated effort to prevent opioid addiction and save lives. I’m encouraged by these positive steps.”

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America Chairman and CEO and CEPOP co-founder General Arthur Dean also commented that “the organizations participating in our Collaborative are dedicated to developing and advocating for solutions like these. I am confident that CEPOP will be mobilizing support for initiatives like this both in the federal budget process and on the ground in communities that are so deeply affected by this crisis.”

Jeffrey Levi, PhD, Executive Director of Trust for America’s Health and CEPOP co-founder, said “by promoting evidence-based strategies, these actions will help coordinate and align public health’s and traditional healthcare’s efforts to reduce opioid dependence and address the overdose crisis. CEPOP will continue to build a diverse and engaged group of organizations that advocate for a wide range of policy solutions to the opioid epidemic at the local, state and national level.”

About CEPOP

The Collaborative for Effective Prescription Opioid Policies (CEPOP) brings together a broad array of stakeholders interested in the appropriate use of opioid medications. Specifically, CEPOP supports a comprehensive and balanced public policy agenda that reduces abuse and promotes treatment options, both for those living with pain and confronting addiction. CEPOP’s advocacy is focused on driving actions in the public sector that develop and deploy evidence-based solutions to these challenges.