Recent Congressional Action on Substance Use and What to Expect this Year
On Capitol Hill, there has been a flurry of activity on legislation related to expanding access to medication for opioid use disorder treatment, extending the classification of illicit fentanyl analogues as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), and removing barriers to financial services for cannabis-related businesses. As the 117th Congress continues, below is…
NAAG Asks FDA for Progress Update Under the SUPPORT Act
We have witnessed first-hand the devastation that the opioid epidemic has wrought on states in terms of lives lost and the costs it has imposed on our healthcare system and the broader economy.
Attorneys General Push FDA to Examine Progress in Opioid Fight
Washington, D.C. — The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) sent a letter asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to examine recent progress in the agency’s fight against the opioid epidemic. The bipartisan coalition of state and territory attorneys general is seeking a progress report regarding recent steps taken by the FDA to…
NAAG Endorses Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues (SOFA) Act
States and localities are on the front line of this crisis and are a large part of winning the battle from both a law enforcement and public health perspective.
All 56 State and Territory Attorneys General Ask Congress to Permanently Classify Fentanyl-Related Substances as Schedule I Drugs
Washington, D.C. — The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) sent a letter to Senate leadership, urging Congress to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. All 56 state and territory attorneys general signed the letter asking Congress to…
NAAG Sends Letter to Congressional Leadership Urging Removal of Federal Barriers to Treat Opioid Use Disorder
Washington, D.C. — The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) has sent a letter to congressional leadership in both chambers, asking for the removal of federal barriers that are currently preventing health care providers from offering treatment for opioid use disorder. Opioid use disorder is the physical and psychological reliance on opioids. Symptoms of opioid addiction include uncontrollable…
State Attorneys General Express Concern Regarding HHS Pain Management Draft Report
Washington, D.C. — The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) has sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sharing concerns about the Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force Draft Report (Draft Report). The letter was addressed to Dr. Vanila Singh, chief medical officer for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health….
Deadly Fentanyl Loophole Should be Closed by Passing Federal Legislation Endorsed by State and Territory Attorneys General
Washington, D.C. — The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) is endorsing federal legislation known as the Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues (SOFA) Act (S.1553/H.R.4922). It would help address the opioid epidemic by closing a loophole that allows those who traffic deadly fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, to currently stay one step ahead of law enforcement. Fentanyl…
AGs to Congress: Pass Legislation to Hold Irresponsible Opioid Manufacturers Accountable and Impose Stiffer Penalties
Washington, D.C. — In a continuing effort to help address the national opioid epidemic, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) is calling on the U.S. Senate to quickly pass legislation that would hold opioid manufacturers accountable. Specifically, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 2.0 (S.2456) in addition to the Comprehensive Addiction Reform, Education, and…
Attorneys General Urge Repeal of a Federal Law to Address Opioid Supply
Washington, D.C. — The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) sent a letter late yesterday to congressional leaders, urging them to repeal a 2016 federal law so registered drug manufacturers and distributors who have willfully contributed to the nation’s oversupply of pain killers (opioids), can be held accountable. The “Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement…
