A new joint report from National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National League of Cities (NLC) examines how cities and counties can strengthen collaboration with each other and state, federal, private-sector and non-profit partners to tackle the opioid crisis.
Several of the recommendations are accompanied by existing local practices from cities and counties. The report also includes recommendations for state and federal officials, who are pivotal partners in local efforts to combat opioid misuse, diversion, overdose and death.
In countless communities across the nation, abuse of prescription drugs and heroin has reached epidemic levels, leading to unprecedented rates of drug overdoses and related fatalities. As this public health crisis has unfolded, local leaders are formulating effective responses. Much progress has been made on this front, but much work remains to be done. During this audience-focused town hall, NACo members will discuss local stories, successes and challenges with an expert panel that includes several members of the National City-County Task Force on the Opioid Epidemic.
As the November midterm elections draw closer, the U.S. Senate is increasingly expected to delay consideration of legislation focused on addressing the opioid crisis until after the elections. This impasse follows significant movement in both chambers and the passage of comprehensive opioid legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives in June. The Senate’s delay comes after members…
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On June 22, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a comprehensive opioid legislative package titled the Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6). The package serves as a legislative vehicle for the dozens of narrowly-focused opioid bills considered across multiple House committees in recent months.…
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After a series of hearings and markups in various committees throughout May, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote for two weeks on dozens of bills aimed at combating the opioid epidemic. The House Energy and Commerce Committee recently approved 57 opioid-related bills, and members on the Ways and Means Committee advanced an additional seven. Other committees of jurisdiction,…
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Needle exchanges and safe injection sites have decades of evidence behind them — but not public support. By German Lopez | Jun 7, 2018 When it comes to combating opioid misuse and addiction, needle exchanges and safe injection sites have decades of evidence behind them. Yet a new study published in Preventive Medicine found that a majority of Americans oppose both — and stigmatizing attitudes toward…
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NACo has closely monitored the progress of opioid legislation moving through Congress. In view of the legislation’s potential impact for counties, NACo has released a working analysis of opioid bills under consideration in the House and Senate, as well as the projected impact for local governments addressing the epidemic. The chart of House legislation details…
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