White House allocates $450M to tackle overdose crisis.
The Biden Administration Announces $450 Million in Funding to Combat Drug Overdose Epidemic
The Biden administration has taken a significant step in addressing the drug overdose epidemic by announcing $450 million in new funding. This announcement, made on August 31 in connection with International Overdose Awareness Day, demonstrates the administration’s commitment to tackling this pressing issue.
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) will allocate approximately $20.5 million for the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program. This program aims to support communities in their efforts to combat drug abuse and addiction.
Related Stories
The administration’s funding initiative aligns with President Joe Biden’s Unity Agenda and aims to expand efforts to mitigate the overdose epidemic and save lives. It also seeks to intensify the battle against the illegal drug trade.
In fiscal year 2023, this initiative will support 164 new projects, joining the existing 587 continuation grant recipients. These projects are community coalitions that work on evidence-based prevention strategies, representing an investment of over $93.8 million by the administration.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will also provide $279 million in grants through the Overdose Data to Action program. These grants will facilitate the expansion of harm reduction measures, establish connections to vital care, and provide essential data to effectively counter the evolving overdose crisis.
For the first time, the funding will extend to city, county, and territorial health departments, aiming to bridge a gap in support for local communities.
Furthermore, the ONDCP has allocated more than $18.9 million to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program. This funding builds upon the previous allocation of over $275 million and will contribute to projects across 33 regional HIDTAs, including the establishment and expansion of Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs) in 27 regional HIDTAs.
The administration emphasizes that channeling resources to these areas reinforces its commitment to addressing the overdose crisis and reducing its impact on communities.
“Taken together, these measures will help save lives and make our communities safer,” asserts the White House in its statement.
President Joe Biden has previously declared August 27 through September 2 as Overdose Awareness Week, aiming to draw attention to the devastating effects of illicit substances like fentanyl and other drugs. This week-long observance underscores the urgency of the epidemic and reinforces the administration’s dedication to curbing overdose-related fatalities.
“Every loss is a painful reminder that we must take bold action to end our nation’s overdose epidemic,” President Biden said in the proclamation. “During Overdose Awareness Week, we reaffirm our commitment to beating this public health and public safety epidemic — in memory of all those we have lost and to protect all the lives we cherish.”
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...