The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) maintains passage of the federal omnibus package is the latest indication of Congress’ failure to effectively address the overdose crisis.
Per the DPA, while the package includes additional funding for overdose prevention initiatives and the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act, it also includes a two-year extension of temporary scheduling of fentanyl-related substances; the continuation of a ban on federal funds being used to purchase syringes for harm reduction purposes; and a new prohibition on the use of federal funds to purchase smoking pipes.
“The federal omnibus package is a mixed bag for drug policy,” DPA Office of Federal Affairs Deputy Director Grant Smith said. “We are pleased to see additional funding for the CDC to support community-based overdose prevention activities, which has been a DPA priority to secure. We are grateful for the inclusion of Rep. Paul Tonko’s Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act in this package. Enactment of the MAT Act is incredibly long overdue.”
According to the DPA, Congress has rejected the opportunity to research and test fentanyl-related substances for medical potential, including to reverse fentanyl overdoses. It is disappointing that Congress is pursuing what the organization deems an ineffective drug policy preventing lives from being saved.
“Just as disappointing, the omnibus package continues to block federal funding from being used to purchase syringes for harm reduction purposes and included a new prohibition on the use of federal funding to purchase pipes for harm reduction purposes,” Smith said. “Syringes and smoking pipes are some of the most critical harm reduction tools we have to prevent infectious diseases and help keep people who use drugs safer, yet Congress has unconscionably found it fitting to specifically block funding access to these resources.”