Statement From First Lady Chirlane McCray On The Obama Administration’s New Effort To Address Heroin And Opioid Addiction

September 16, 2016

"Our country is in the throes of an opioid epidemic, and I praise President Obama's push to reduce injudicious opioid prescribing, which is key to turning this epidemic around. We must also continue to expand treatment options and reduce stigma. With resources, ‎substance misuse is preventable and treatable.
 
"In New York City, we have created guidelines for prescribing opioid analgesics to try to stop the problem before it starts. We are also making effective addiction treatments, such as buprenorphine, more available. We have equipped all of our first responders with naloxone, a life-saving medicine that reverses overdoses, and are deploying peer navigators to connect those who have overdosed with proper care.
 
"We cannot tackle the disease of addiction alone. Earlier this year, Congress passed legislation to expand prevention and treatment programs to help us in this fight, but we need the funding to put that legislation into action. This week I have been in Washington, D.C. lobbying for more resources for mental health and substance misuse programs. As leaders, the onus is on us to help the many who suffer needlessly. I urge Congress to allocate the funds we need to help our families and so we can do our jobs to help those who suffer from this disease.”