SUD Crisis

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DOD), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) should work with stakeholders to develop model statutes, regulations, and policies to ensure informed patient consent before an opioid is prescribed for chronic pain.[1]

Congress should pass a 10 percent set-aside for crisis services in the Mental Health Block Grant to address gaps in vital crisis services across the United States. At present, the set-aside stands at 5 percent, which falls short of effectively meeting the growing demand for mental health support, including in moments of mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) emergencies.

Congress must pass legislation to permanently place fentanyl-related substances (FRS) into Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act. The Biden Administration has supported such scheduling[1], and the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the HALT Fentanyl Act.[2]

When supported by strong clinical data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should provide a formal indication for a specific psychiatric symptom when that symptom has been mapped onto specific neuronal circuits.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should establish guidelines for post-market surveillance related to diversion, addiction, and other adverse consequences of controlled substances, especially extended release and long-acting opioids.[1]

Congress should enact the critical insurance protections to ensure access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and medications for alcohol use disorder (MAUD) as a new section within the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 300gg et seq).