Advocates Push For Easier Access To Opioid Agonists Treatments

President Biden is asking Congress to allocate almost 43 billion dollars to National Drug Control Program agencies, stating that would significantly fund "evidence-based prevention and harm services." The need for these services is growing but, one treatment called opioid agonists is proven especially hard to get. 

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[cjsrescues]

Suboxone saved my life. Make it easier to get from a PCP

[deannastyer]

I pray this works, I have been on suboxone for 13 years, and for the 1st 8 years, I had to attend counseling the entire time, even after I was as good as I could be. My counseling center had to petition for me so I could stop. I am still clean, happy, and a regular tax paying citizen. Treatments are so expensive, we need rules to stop price gouging people that just need help.

[ashleydaniel]

Gallup NM is ground zero for the Navajo Nation opioid crisis. It's not safe here because there is no help within the local govt/tribes for countering this escalating crisis.

[thomasjefferson]

As a recovered heroin addict with six years clean I’m torn on opioid recovery treatments. I support these treatments because I think it can buy more time for someone to get their lives together. More time is essential. On the other hand these treatments are addictive in themselves and can lead to withdrawal symptoms which in turn can lead to opioid usage again. I used to use suboxone when I couldn’t score to fend off H withdrawals until I had money to use again. When I did use suboxone properly for a few months, when I eventually came off them the withdrawals were almost as bad as H withdrawal. I think they should be used short term only in my opinion. No more than six months. Ultimately the individual needs to have enough luck and time to realize they want to turn their life around and quit using. At the end of the day if someone doesn’t want to stop using they aren’t going to stop using. In my humble opinion what needs to be done is severe limits on painkillers. Only available for those with cancer and dying. I also think that painkiller dealers and H dealers should be punished much more severely. Ten years in prison minimum. Set examples to deter people from profiting off of others misery. The US knows they can stop illegal drugs coming in. They do not stop it. Back on the topic of opioid recovery treatments. A friend of mine was on criminal probation. He had been arrested numerous times for possession. His last arrest was possession and theft so it was much more serious. The courts gave him an ultimatum. Take an opioid injection blocker (30 days per shot that stop people from getting high) or go to prison. He agreed to the injections. Towards the end of his 30 days apparently the shot would start wearing off. So he would use because he could get high again. One of these occasions he overdosed by taking more and more H to feel the effects. He’s now dead and six feet under. I’m not a scientist or a doctor but I would imagine opioid blockers that target blocking the dopamine reward system would also handcuff someone from feeling pleasure from normal things. So I’m torn on their use. I think we should have more severe punishments for opioid dealers. Shut down illegal drugs coming into the country. Limit opioids to those with cancer or dying only. Only allow opioid blocking medication for a very short time. Having someone on opioid recovery medicines for years and years only lines the pockets of big pharma even more and gives them no reason to truly crack down on painkiller/opioid addiction. I don’t have all the answers but I think this would help the opioid epidemic.

Sincerely, A former heroin addict.

[williams]

My brother never touched a drug until they say he needed a surgery. And got him hooked on pills where is the accountability

[agoogleaccount]

Nothing but respect for this pharmacist the pharmacy isn't responsible for the areas doctors or whatever the doctors write

[peachymeechie]

Methadone saved my life. I'm clean 11yrs and it doesn't work for some, and some abuse the system, which is so unfortunate for the one's who do take it seriously! We get a bad name for the few bad apples. And that's not a fair assessment! It shouldn't be so hard to receive medication that's needed to live. People don't think that, but it's a God send for people who can't do it cold turkey! And no matter what people say you can't really get high on methadone, after a while it balances the system out. So it's not trading one for the other. I hate when people say that crap. All I know is it saved me! Not everything works for everybody, but I'm living proof that it does work for some! Anything that saves a life is a good thing!!

[nicolepizzino]

th3 barriers that have been in place for a long time need to be removed for addicts to access these life saving meds. its hard enough to make the decision to get clean, the last thing people need is to have to jump through hoops to get help. it is also important for society to educate themselves about medication assisted treatment so that those who require these meds arent looked down upon. once recovering addicts are stabilized on these medications, there is no reason to pressure them to wean off in a predetermined amount of time. the meds are helping them to live a life where they can function, take care of their children, hold down a job and enjoy their life again without drugs. the bias and pressure to wean off these meds comes both from people who never used and from those recovering addicts who quit cold turkey. these meds are to someone with opioid use disorder as insulin is to a diabetic. those with OUD who take methadone or Suboxone may one day be able to come off these meds and some need to stay on them for life. people need to understand that its ok either way.

[tammiebroggins]

As someone who's struggling in this country. I don't use drugs or alcohol. When are they just going to help with housing ?

[nicholaspowers]

Statement has been heard from Nicholas Powers Has iris meetings statements

[sumcrazychic]

I take Suboxone and it saved my life.. sometimes jumping through the Hoops to get it is exhausting. It should be far more accessible. Some of these Suboxone clinics out here treat you more like a number than they do as a person. Finding the right Clinic can feel impossible and overwhelming. People seeking treatment should have more rights.

[djpomare]

EARTH WATCHES AFGHANISTAN STARVE AS WESTERN SORE LOSERS AMERICA & BRITAIN BLOCK $10 BILLION AID & FUNDS.
America bombed Muslims in Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen.
While Afghans are left to starve, the US & UK Aid & Fund block ensures that CIA and US drug dealers get good prices for Afghan opiates.
The Taliban MUST FORCE A TRADE DEAL that benefits Afghanistan, CIA, Drug dealers and opiate-dependent Americans.