- While drug overdoses killed a record 63,000 Americans in 2016, states have only spent 20% ($100 million) of the federal funds that they were given for treatment.
- Congress appropriated $500 million for annual opioid relief in 2017 and 2018.
- However, states are hesitant to use funding since it expires in 2 years.
- Sustainable investments in addiction treatment programs require consistent, long-term funding. Some complain that Congressional Republicans (majority) are treating the opioid crisis like a one-off natural disaster instead of an ongoing epidemic.
