On December 5, 2016, the 21st Century Cures Act, which addresses the opioid epidemic passed 392 to 26 in the House, and passed 94 to 5 in the Senate last week. President Obama praised the bill as it will provide significant funding for the National Institute of Health, cancer research, brain disease research including Alzheimer’s, the Food and Drug and Administration, and the current opioid crisis.
While the bipartisan bill has received overwhelming praise, some senators are not on board. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren both disapproved of the bill because it gave too many preferences to pharmaceutical companies due to the changes in drug approval processes. However, the passing of the bill is still a step forward to curb the opioid epidemic in the U.S.
The Cures Act comes at a crucial time when opioid deaths are steady surging in almost every state. Approximately, $1 billion will help states deal with rampant opiate abuse. Drug addiction was just declared a public health crisis in the first ever Surgeon General’s report on addiction, Facing Addiction in America.
Heroin Deaths Now Surpass Gun Deaths
A recent article in the Washington Post, illustrates that heroin deaths have now exceeded gun deaths in America. In 2015, heroin deaths reached 12,989, which creeps over gun-related deaths at 12,979 deaths.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, opioid deaths soared to over 33,000 deaths in 2015. Synthetic opioids mixed with heroin, like Fentanyl, is also behind the spike in opioid deaths with an increase by 75 percent from 2014 to 2015.
Addiction More Prevalent than Cancer
It’s estimated that 27 million people in the United States struggle with the use of illicit drugs and prescription drugs. The population of those struggling with addiction has surpassed those who have all types of cancer in America, which is 20.3 million people. This suggests that addiction deserves the same medical attention as other chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cancer.
With the release of the first Surgeon General’s report and the passing of the 21st Century Cures Act, 2017 looks to be a transformational year for drug policy. Since addiction is now officially recognized as a public health crisis, more attention, awareness, and changes will be needed from the medical community, healthcare organizations and insurance companies.
What This Means for Addiction Treatment
The passing of the 21st Century Cures Act was a bipartisan effort. Both parties agree that the compounding problems from substance use disorders have wreaked havoc on our communities, our economy, and our families. We’ll have to wait and see what the incoming administration’s stance will be once Donald Trump takes office.
No matter what occurs, the need for comprehensive, specialized addiction treatment has never been greater. At Transformation Treatment Center, our experienced team of medical doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, and therapists help our clients thrive in recovery each day. We know that addiction recovery is a lifelong process and it doesn’t just stop at detox or outpatient care.
At The Rehab Center, we prepare and empower our clients for years of long-term sobriety. If relapse does occur, our supportive staff will always be there to help and encourage our clients to reach out to us. If you or a loved one is currently struggling with addiction, call our admissions team today at 888-388-5756 .