Rockville, MD (June 26, 2018) – The Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose (CSOO) enthusiastically welcomes NASTAD (National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors) as a new member of the coalition. NASTAD is an association that represents public health officials who administer HIV and hepatitis programs in all 50 U.S. states and around the world. NASTAD seeks to end the intersecting epidemics of HIV and viral hepatitis by strengthening domestic and global governmental public health through advocacy, capacity building, and social justice.

 

“NASTAD is a demonstrated leader in the fight to end HIV and viral hepatitis, and we welcome them as a new member of the Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose” said Corey Waller, Chair of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. “HIV and viral hepatitis transmission continues to be a severe problem for people who inject drugs. We look forward to working with NASTAD to elevate the national conversation around the intersection of addiction and transmissible diseases such as HIV and viral hepatitis and advance policies that improve health outcomes and reduce overdose deaths.”

 

“NASTAD is excited to join the Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose,” said NASTAD Executive Director Murray C. Penner. “The opioid epidemic our country faces has led to increases in the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis. Now, more than ever, it is vital that we join together to prevent opioid overdoses and end the intersecting epidemics of HIV and hepatitis once and for all.”