Manchin Applauds Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded the Administration’s new efforts to combat the prescription opioid and heroin abuse epidemic as part of Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week.

“Today, we have taken another step toward ending this crisis and I applaud these new programs that will help us curb the prescription drug abuse epidemic,” Senator Manchin said. “In July, Congress passed bipartisan, bicameral comprehensive opioid legislation but we must continue to fight for real resources to put behind these programs and initiatives. It is clear that our country has reached a crisis point and we must act now towards a comprehensive, commonsense strategy to end this epidemic.”  

The Administration’s new actions to combat the prescription drug epidemic include:

• Expanding substance use disorder treatment in the TRICARE system to include coverage of intensive outpatient programs and treatment of opioid use disorders with medication-assisted treatment.
• Establishing enhanced measures in conjunction with the Chinese government to combat the supply of fentanyl and its analogues coming to the United States.
• Supporting distance learning and telemedicine programs that expand access to healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, and educational opportunities in rural communities.
• Providing funding to strengthen Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs across the country and grants to support State-level law enforcement investigations of drug manufacturing and drug distribution networks.

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