HHS announces initiative to fight prescription opioid, heroin abuse

Mar 26, 2015 - 04:43 PM

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell today announced an initiative to reduce prescription opioid and heroin-related deaths and dependence. The effort will focus on providing training and educational resources for health professionals, including updated prescriber guidelines; increasing use of naloxone to reduce overdoses; and expanding the use of Medication-Assisted Treatment, which combines medication with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders. For more information, visit aspe.hhs.gov. In related news, the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee today held a hearing on state and local perspectives on the growing problem of prescription drug and heroin abuse. In addition, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence today declared a public health emergency in Scott County due to an outbreak of HIV related to intravenous drug use. 

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