America’s drug overdose crisis is out of control. Washington, despite a bipartisan desire to combat it, is finding its addiction-fighting programs are failing.

In 2018, Republicans, Democrats and then-President Donald Trump united around legislation that threw $20 billion into treatment, prevention and recovery. But five years later, the SUPPORT Act has lapsed and the number of Americans dying from overdoses has grown more than 60 percent, driven by illicit fentanyl. The battle has turned into a slog.

Even though 105,000 Americans died last year, Congress is showing little urgency about reupping the law since it expired on Sept. 30. That’s not because of partisan division, but a realization that there are no quick fixes a new law could bring to bear.

  • Chetzemoka@startrek.website
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    Oh hey there, MOV. I probably know your family lol. I grew up in Belpre. And I hear ya about the culture shock. It took me a long time to realize that Appalachian is a thing I can identify as