A group of lawmakers on Thursday called on President Biden to restore the director of the National Drug Control Policy Office (ONDCP) to a cabinet-level position to better address the overdose epidemic in the United States.
In the letter, lawmakers praised Mr. Biden for prioritizing the opioid epidemic in his State of the Union address last year.
“However, we have not yet broken the trend of increasing overdose deaths, and patterns of overdose deaths are constantly evolving, as evidenced by the growing problems associated with xylazine.” they said
Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is a non-opioid drug used as a veterinary tranquilizer. It is often used in combination with opioids such as fentanyl to enhance its effect. Its popularity has increased in recent years, and the drug has been associated with wounds such as skin ulcers and accesses. It has no effect on letting
“Overdose deaths increased by almost 60% between 2019 and 2021, and from September 2021 to August 2022 (the most recent 12 months available), more than 107,000 Americans were overdose. They died from ingestion, which equates to 293 deaths every day,” he continued. “Unfortunately, overdose is now the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45.”
They urged Biden to announce in his State of the Union address scheduled for Feb. 7 that the position would be returned to the cabinet level.
ONDCP works with 19 federal agencies to lead U.S. drug policy as part of the executive branch of the president.
The head of the ONDCP, currently held by Rahul Gupta, was a cabinet-level position until President Obama’s demotion in 2009. The office was established in 1988 by President Reagan when he signed the Substance Abuse Act into law.
During his time in the Senate, Biden was a major supporter of ONDCP’s creation and expansion. Former Republican Senator Orrin Hatch (Utah) credit biden See the need for such an office and help maintain its relevance.
In Thursday’s letter to Biden, lawmakers referred to earlier remarks that suggested Biden would serve as ONDCP director at the Cabinet level in 2001.
“Cabinet-level status is necessary to provide visibility commensurate with the depth of the nation’s drug problem, stop rivalries between agencies, fight for budgetary resources, and reduce inadequate agency drug budgets. has argued that it was necessary to give our drug lords the leverage to revoke the accreditation of ,” Biden was quoted as saying.
Lawmakers said those statements are still valid 20 years later.
Senators include Senator Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts), Senator Maggie Hassan (D-M), Sherry Moore Capito (RW.Va), Sheldon Whitehouse (DR.I.), Elizabeth Warren (Democrat Massachusetts) and Congressmen. David Torrone (D-Maryland) and Katie Porter (D-California) were among those who signed the letter to Biden.
