The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has advocated for the widespread availability of life-saving overdose reversal medications in communities served by government entities, as part of efforts to combat opioid-related overdoses. This initiative is supported by officials from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
According to a press release from HUD, housing plays a crucial role in mitigating opioid overdoses. The department emphasizes that providing public spaces with these essential medications can help achieve this goal. Currently, overdose reversal medications are available in numerous educational settings, and HUD is urging for their presence in government-funded housing, counseling offices, and initiatives assisting homeless individuals.
"Many overdoses happen in the home, and providing access to an effective and easy-to-use medication that can reverse an overdose is just common sense," stated Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon. "We urge our assisted housing property owners and managers to make this life-saving medication readily available to their residents and guests."
Government organizations such as HUD, HHS, and ONDCP will implement this initiative as part of the Biden administration's Unity Agenda. According to the release, this agenda aims to provide assistance to life-saving missions and recovery efforts for individuals suffering from substance abuse. Notably, this year the Federal Drug Administration approved certain naloxone nasal sprays for over-the-counter purchase at pharmacies and large retailers nationwide.
"We all have a role to play in ending the overdose epidemic," said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS assistant secretary for mental health and substance use. "Naloxone and other opioid overdose reversal medications save lives. Ensuring these medications are broadly distributed in these housing-related settings is an important step to help communities prevent fatal overdoses. These medications should be as readily available as other health-and-safety equipment like carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and defibrillators."
