President Trump recently declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency, pushing this glaring subject further in the spotlight. However, many feel that this is not enough as the declaration does not by itself provide any additional funding or resources to actually fight this problem. The President’s cabinet has provided some reassurance that such funds will be forthcoming though.

I think this is a small but important step in combating the opioid crisis which has gripped this nation for many years now, and is showing no signs of slowing down. It will be important to keep this issue in the spotlight, and expend tightly focused resources in combating the root causes. Progress in this fight will definitely require a change of culture across the nation, to include patients who push for opioids; and physicians who prescribe them loosely.

Fighting this scourge will also need to include a significant increase in the resources dedicated to treating existing addicts. With over 50,000 deaths now annually attributed to drug overdose, we simply cannot afford to ignore the treatment aspects. One important tool in the fight against opioid addiction is the medication Suboxone (buprenorphine), which has proved highly effective when combined with behavior modification therapy.

More information about this medication is available at www.suboxone.com/
SUBOXONE® (buprenorphine and naloxone) Sublingual Film (CIII) www.suboxone.com SUBOXONE Film along with counseling and psychosocial support may help you—or someone you care about—manage opioid dependence. See full safety and prescribing …

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Trump Declares Opioid Crisis a ‘Health Emergency’ but Requests No Funds nyti.ms The long-promised directive fulfills a vow but falls short of the national emergency declaration President Trump had pledged.

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