The White House has announced that it will be hosting families of overdose victims and advocates from across the United States as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to address the overdose epidemic. The meeting is scheduled to take place on August 28th, just days after President Joe Biden declared August 25th through August 31st as “Overdose Awareness Week” to honor those who have lost their lives to overdoses.
President Biden expressed his condolences and called for action in a statement on August 23rd, saying, “Today I grieve with all the families and friends who have lost someone to an overdose. This is a time to act. And this is a time to stand together—for all those we have lost and all the lives we can still save.”
The event will feature White House Drug Control Policy Director Dr. Rahul Gupta, as well as two officials from the Health and Human Services (HHS)—HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon—according to a statement released by the White House.
During the meeting, they will discuss the administration’s actions and investments in addressing this issue, highlight stories from underserved communities impacted by this crisis, and emphasize the importance of a collective effort in combating this epidemic.
In his proclamation on August 23rd, President Biden acknowledged the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic on Americans and reaffirmed his commitment to disrupting the supply of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids in the country.
Biden stated that progress has been made in reducing annual overdose deaths but emphasized that there is still much work left to do. He outlined his administration’s comprehensive approach which includes expanding access to treatments, increasing healthcare providers authorized to prescribe medications for substance use disorders, fighting stigmatization surrounding substance use, and improving access to opioid overdose reversal medications.
According to data from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose deaths in America decreased by 3 percent last year compared with 2022 figures. Specifically related opioid deaths decreased from 84,181 in 2022 down to 81,083 last year while synthetic opioid-related deaths dropped from 76,226 down t0o74 ,702 during that same period.
However , there was an increase in deaths linked psychostimulants such as cocaine . Deaths related psychostimulants increased from35 ,550 up t0o36 ,251 between2022and2023while cocaine-related death rosefrom28 ,441 up t0o29 ,918 duringthatperiod .
Alaska Washington Oregon recorded notable increases at least27percent drugoverdose deathslastyear accordingtotheagency