Home Political News The ONDCP Looks to Ease Opioid Treatment Restrictions

The ONDCP Looks to Ease Opioid Treatment Restrictions

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The ONDCP Looks to Ease Opioid Treatment Restrictions

Recently, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) received a new director. The U.S. Senate confirmed former West Virginia Public Health Commissioner Rahul Gupta. In a recent interview, Director Gupta briefly mentioned things inside the office would change, especially after the U.S. hit a sobering milestone. 

According to the CDC, over the course of 12 months, which ended in April 2021, there were over 100,000 drug overdose deaths across the country. This number has been steadily growing over the past few years, and the pandemic didn’t help matters. Now, it’s time for the White House ONDCP, along with President Biden, to tackle the issue head on. 

Of the 100,000 deaths, over 75,000 involved opioids. That’s ¾ of the overall deaths involving opioids. This number shows the devastation of the opioid epidemic that continues across the country. According to some cities, like San Francisco, there were more deaths from opioid overdoses than Covid-19 itself.

Prescriptions

Though he didn’t go into great detail, Director Gupta did mention some of the potential changes that could come to the U.S. to help combat the opioid epidemic. First, permanently allowing a home supply of methadone, an addiction treatment medication that is also an opioid. During the height of the pandemic, patients were granted up to a 28 day supply of methadone at their home instead of having to show up to a clinic every day for their medication. Now, Gupta is looking to make this a permanent change. 

By keeping methadone only in the clinic and not at home could potentially prevent those who are looking for treatment help, but can’t make it to a clinic every day or are embarrassed they may need help. Making access easier can help those who want treatment more than restricting those who can make it to a clinic every day. 

Additionally, Gupta mentioned increasing the distribution of naloxone, which is an opioid overdose antidote. Earlier this year, there was a shortage of naloxone. By increasing distribution, there won’t be a shortage and more lives can be saved after an overdose

Syringe Programs

Previously, Gupta received criticism during his time as the West Virginia Public Health Commissioner. Many blamed him for not doing enough to keep the state’s syringe exchange program up and running. The state’s final program closed its doors, leaving dirty syringes out in public and increasing the risk of individuals contracting blood borne diseases, like HIV and Hepatitis C. 

However, Gupta stood up to the accusations. “As [ONDCP] director, I strongly support the syringe service programs and the entirety of harm-reduction programs that we have right now and we are proposing,” he said during an interview. If he does support them on a federal level over a state level, Gupta could see syringe exchange programs across the country, reducing dangerous waste on the streets and a decrease in diseases.  

Next Steps 

Gupta made other points of interest. However, the syringe exchange programs and prescriptions along with increased distribution became the focal point. Incidentally, Gupta did ignore or skirt around questions of safe consumption sites, which follows previous points from the Biden Administration. 

Hopefully, ONDCP will have a direction moving forward, where citizens can feel a direct impact to their choices. Previously, the ONDCP didn’t have direction under the Trump Administration. This lead to cycling through employees and not necessarily helping prevent the opioid epidemic. 

Now, under the Biden Administration and direction of Rahul Gupta, the ONDCP is on track again to make a difference. If more changes come from the office, we will update you with the latest.

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