Mar 7, 2022, 08:33 by Bob Davis

With overdose deaths at record levels, leading medical organizations representing addiction specialists call on Congress to enact bold policies to prevent and treat addiction, promote recovery, and save lives

Mar 3, 2022, 11:18 by Bob Davis

On March 2nd, the Northern New England Society of Addiction Medicine (NNESAM) sent a letter to the Joint Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety expressing support for LD 1862. This legislation would extend the state’s existing Good Samaritan protections to all individuals present at the scene of an overdose, barring any violent crimes.

Mar 2, 2022, 13:49 by Bob Davis

With Overdose Deaths at Record Levels, America’s Response Must Be Commensurate with the Magnitude of this Crisis.

Feb 16, 2022, 02:00 by Bob Davis

The ASAM Criteria Assessment Interview Guide is the first publicly available standardized version of The ASAM Criteria assessment. With this release, ASAM and UCLA hope to increase the quality and consistency of patient assessments and treatment recommendations.

Feb 15, 2022, 16:40 by Bob Davis

Last month, the U.S. DOL, HHS, and the Treasury sent a damning report to Congress elucidating health plans’ failure to ensure health coverage parity for mental health and substance use disorders.

Feb 9, 2022, 20:04 by Staff

Since 1999, the United States has experienced more than 1 million drug overdose deaths. This horrific and avoidable milestone underscores the urgent need to act so that we, as a country, can better address the needs of people with substance use disorders and those at risk for overdose with evidence-based interventions and treatment, and ultimately, save lives.

Feb 7, 2022, 14:35 by Bob Davis

ASAM’s newly released 2022-2025 Strategic Plan builds upon ASAM’s existing mission to be the physician-led professional community for those who prevent, treat, and promote remission and recovery from the disease of addiction, and to provide resources for continuing innovation, advancement, and implementation of addiction science and care.

Feb 3, 2022, 09:00 by Bob Davis

Chinazo Cunningham, MD, MS, FASAM, commissioner of NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) in Albany, New York, is this year’s recipient of ASAM’s Brinkley Smithers Distinguished Scientist Award. The award is given in recognition of a physician’s highly meritorious contributions in advancing the scientific understanding of addiction, its prevention, and treatment options.

Jan 28, 2022, 15:51 by Bob Davis

On January 26th, the Minnesota Society of Addiction Medicine (MNSAM) sent a letter to Representative Robert Bierman outlining concerns with his bill: HF 1851. This legislation would reform the criteria for treating intractable pain with prescription opioids, including revising the definition of what constitutes intractable pain and palliative care.

Jan 26, 2022, 02:00 by Bob Davis

On January 26th, ASAM submitted a comment letter to CMS’s proposed rule Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA); HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (the “NBPP 2023 Rule”).

Jan 24, 2022, 14:15 by Bob Davis

ASAM and ten other health professional associations have called for the FDA to immediately and fully retract its buprenorphine Drug Safety Communication of January 12, 2022. In their letter, the signatories maintain that the communication is based on “flawed analysis.”

Jan 10, 2022, 10:34 by Bob Davis

On January 7th, the Illinois Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) sent letters to Governor J.B. Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul urging them to immediately adopt the “Principles for the Use of Funds From the Opioid Litigation.”

Jan 5, 2022, 09:58 by Bob Davis

In December 2020, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2021, which made fiscal year (FY) 2021 appropriations for the federal government and added 1,000 additional Medicare-supported residency slots starting in FY 2023.

Jan 3, 2022, 08:21 by Bob Davis

Dr. Wiegand serves as Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and the Director of Addiction Toxicology and the Toxicology/Addiction Consult Service at Strong Memorial Hospital and the University of Rochester Medical Center. He started treating addiction 20 years ago and has since worked to bridge the fields of addiction medicine and medical toxicology. His efforts to do so contributed to him winning ASAM’s Annual Award, which he said he is honored to receive.

Dec 21, 2021, 15:24 by Bob Davis

On December 20th, the New York Society of Addiction Medicine (NYSAM) sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to sign A2030/S649. This legislation would remove prior authorization on all forms of medication for addiction treatment (MAT) within the state’s Medicaid program.

Dec 6, 2021, 16:31 by Bob Davis

On December 2nd, ASAM sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) responding to their request for feedback in reevaluating the voluntary status of the Opioid Analgesics (OA) Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. Currently, FDA is considering extending the REMS program to become a mandatory course for all opioid prescribers.

Dec 6, 2021, 14:51 by Bob Davis

“I'm honored and gratified that the work I've done has been impactful enough to get that kind of recognition,” said Dr. Mee-Lee, president of DML Training and Consulting. “It’s a real honor and privilege to have been chosen.”

Dec 6, 2021, 14:11 by Bob Davis

Penny S. Mills, MBA, former Executive Vice President/CEO of the ASAM receives the 2021 James H. Tharp Award. This annual trust award is given to the individual that has contributed most toward the solution of the problem of alcoholism.

Dec 2, 2021, 09:21 by Bob Davis

ASAM launches its first-ever massive open online course (MOOC) on addiction medicine, open to a global audience including the public, patients, and providers.

Dec 1, 2021, 14:57 by Bob Davis

OHSAM sent a letter to members of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Economic Opportunity opposing SB 261. SB 261 would update the regulatory framework governing the state’s medical cannabis program.