CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today commented on actions announced by the Obama Administration to address the opioid and heroin epidemic in America:
“Drug abuse and addiction is wreaking havoc on our communities and demands action. Many of the steps announced by the Obama Administration today, like training for medical students who will be writing opioid prescriptions and new funding for states to purchase Naloxone, are welcome in West Virginia where we have the highest rate of overdose deaths in the nation.
“Several of the steps announced today mirror actions I have fought for in the Senate, like co-prescribing Naloxone, support for community health centers and expanding the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas heroin initiative. Combatting this epidemic will require a spectrum of solutions, and I am ready to work with anyone who shares the common goal of saving lives and creating a drug-free West Virginia.”
In conjunction with today’s announcement, West Virginia University School of Medicine, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine have committed to require opioid prescribing training in accordance with new Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines that were finalized for chronic pain earlier this month. Senator Capito has called on the CDC to issues similar guidelines for acute pain.
Today’s announcement also includes an emphasis on addressing substance use disorders in rural communities and improving access to treatment. More information on today’s White House announcement is available here.
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