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Resources for Policy Makers
Policy Research, White Papers, and News
AMA Releases New Report on Opioid Prescriptions and Overdose Deaths
A new report from the American Medical Association (AMA). Yet, the nation continues to see increases in overdose mainly due to illicit fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, methamphetamine and cocaine. To address this continuing epidemic, the AMA is urging policymakers to join physicians to reduce mortality and improve patient outcomes by removing barriers to evidence-based care.
Addiction Neuroscience 101 – A Video Every Policymaker Should Watch
In this excellent video from the HMA Institute on Addiction, Dr. R. Corey Waller describes the research on the brain science behind addiction and the implications for public policy change (20 minutes into the video). He says, “In the criminal justice world, we have to …
Federal Grantees May Now Use Funds to Purchase Fentanyl Test Strips
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced April 7, 2021 that federal funding may now be used to purchase rapid fentanyl test strips (FTS) in an effort to help curb the dramatic spike in drug …
California Senate OKs Measure to End Mandatory Prison Sentences for Nonviolent Drug Offenders
In the news April 17, 2021, the California State Senate approved a bill that ends mandatory prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenders in California. This bill is waiting on approval by the Assembly and a signature from the governor to become law. Ending mandatory sentences …
Use of Buprenorphine-Naloxone in the Emergency Department
The Emergency Department is a health care setting in which patients with OUD commonly present, seeking more opioids to maintain their addiction, seeking help with opioid withdrawal, or in some tragic instances, needing emergency resuscitation for opioid overdose. Emergency Department (ED) physicians are thus uniquely positioned to intervene to help patients with OUD at a critical moment in the addiction cycle.
Standards For Access To Addiction Medicine Services
Experts from the California Society of Addiction Medicine have written guidelines for access to addiction medicine services to be used by leaders and advocates to advance treatment across different “silos of care” such as incarcerated setting, licensed addiction treatment settings, and community-based behavioral health systems.
Minimum Insurance Benefits for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder
In 2015 California Society for Addiction Medicine (CSAM) published its survey of bronze-level plans offered by Covered California. The report indicated that, while coverage varied, none of the plans offered an acceptable level of coverage for the treatment of patients with opioid use disorders.
Advocacy and Policy Organizations
CA Bridge
CA Bridge was officially launched in 2018 with a grant from the California Department of Health Care Services MAT Expansion Project and is a program of the Public Health Institute, based in Oakland, California. Their vision is that all hospitals will treat opioid addiction: “We …
California MAT Expansion Project
The California MAT Expansion Project aims to increase access to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), reduce unmet treatment need, and reduce opioid overdose deaths through prevention, treatment, and recovery activities. The project also includes media campaigns, engagement of opioid safety coalitions, naloxone distribution, drug take-back efforts, and …
Choose Change California
Choose Change California is a statewide campaign to increase awareness of Opioid Use Disorder and the services available to those seeking treatment—primarily through Medication-Assisted Treatment.
The California Overdose Prevention Network
The California Overdose Prevention Network (COPN) is a network for coalitions, organizations, and individuals working at the forefront of the overdose epidemic. Since 2017, COPN has led the effort to provide a statewide forum for coalitions, organizations, and individuals working to combat the overdose crisis …
The California Society of Addiction Medicine
The California Society of Addiction Medicine (CSAM) is the largest state chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) comprised of physicians and other healthcare professionals who are dedicated to improving the treatment of substance use disorders. With over 700 members, CSAM offers education, advocacy, …
The Drug Policy Alliance
The Drug Policy Alliance is an advocacy organization focused on advancing policies and attitudes that best reduce the harms of both drug use and drug prohibition, and promote the sovereignty of individuals over their minds and bodies. The Drug Policy Alliance envisions a just society …
The National Harm Reduction Coalition
The National Harm Reduction Coalition is a nationwide advocate and ally for people who use drugs. Their website provide information on the principles of harm reduction and offers resources and online trainings at the national and local level regarding harm reduction strategies. The California Chapter …
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental …