NJAMHAA Applauds Surgeon General and other HHS Leaders’ Commitment to Addressing the Opioid Crisis
September 21, 2018
Statement from Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of
the Surgeon General, Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH, published a new
report, Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's
Spotlight on Opioids, is a compelling, comprehensive and
much-needed resource. As opioid use disorder increases in
prevalence in New Jersey and across the nation and fatal
overdoses occur every day, it is imperative for everyone - not
just government leaders and substance use professionals - to do
everything they can to help address this devastating crisis.
In addition to providing updated information on the prevalence of substance use overall and opioids in particular, it recommends positive actions that individuals in all capacities - healthcare and education professionals, researchers, employers, family members and entire communities - can take to help prevent opioid use disorders and ensure access to life-saving treatment.
It is heartening to see that HHS leaders are collaborating with each other and with state governments and providers throughout the country. Federal initiatives with appropriate funding are essential for increasing access to services to prevent, treat and provide recovery support for opioid addiction and other substance use disorders.
In light of the challenges in addressing this overwhelming problem, NJAMHAA is inspired by Jerome Adams' outline of reasons for optimism, especially the emphasis on research, evidence-based treatments and recovery support services to achieve the goal of reversing the opioid crisis.
