Leading Addiction Medicine Organizations to Host Day of Action
With Overdose Deaths at Record Levels, Addiction Medicine Advocates Encourage Congress to Adopt Bold Policies to Advance Addiction Medicine and Save Lives
(Washington, DC) – Addiction medicine advocates will connect with Congress virtually to advocate for policies that advance addiction medicine. Adoption of these policies will save lives.
WHAT: During this advocacy conference, addiction treatment professionals will participate in virtual meetings with policymakers and their staff. Advocates will discuss the need to advance addiction medicine by implementing bold policies to strengthen the addiction treatment workforce through educational and training opportunities (Teach It); empower DEA-licensed medication prescribers with a baseline knowledge of how to treat and manage patients with substance use disorder (Standardize It), and ensure adequate Medicaid coverage for Medicaid-eligible individuals who are incarcerated, up to 30 days before their release from jail or prison (Cover It).
WHEN: March 22-23, 2021.
WHERE: The advocacy event will be virtual.
WHO: The conference is hosted by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and its national advocacy partners, the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), the American College of Academic Addiction Medicine (ACAAM), and the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM).
WHY: According to the latest data from the CDC, over 83,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in the 12 months ending in July 2020—the highest total ever recorded. With the crisis accelerating amid the COVID-19 pandemic, evidence-based policy is needed now more than ever.
For more information, please visit https://www.asam.org/advocacy/advocacy-in-action/addiction-medicine-advocacy-conference.
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