Obama signs legislation to curb opioid addiction

The AP (7/22) reported President Obama on Friday “signed into law a bill to curb abuse of heroin and opioid drugs, even as he expressed bitter disappointment with Republicans for not providing more money for addiction treatment.” In a statement, Obama said, “Given the scope of this crisis, some action is better than none. However, I am deeply disappointed that Republicans failed to provide any real resources for those seeking addiction treatment to get the care that they need.”

The Hill (7/22, Neidig) reported Obama “also noted that GOP lawmakers had blocked an additional $920 million in funding for addiction treatment.”

Reuters (7/22, Wilson) said the bill “aims to help communities develop treatment and overdose programs at a time when fewer than half the estimated 2.2 million Americans who need help for opioid abuse are receiving it, according to U.S. health officials.”

Article from the AMA Morning Rounds, 7/25/16. For more information about preventing opioid abuse, visit this AMA resource guide.