Issue Position: The Opioid Crisis

Issue Position

The opioid crisis forms at the intersection of many other issues--for-profit healthcare run amuck, scarce political will to hold opioid manufactures responsible for the epidemic they have created, untamed corporate greed, a culture of shaming individuals with addiction and mental health issues, health insurance companies' obstinate refusal to cover sufficient treatment facility stays and pain management alternatives, inadequate numbers of treatments facilities, poverty, and lack of education about opioid addiction.
Unfortunately, no proverbial silver bullet exists to end the crisis. Aside from holding opioid manufacturers responsible for the crisis they have knowingly created, we need to employ a range of tactics, and engage the community in this important fight.

Expand the number of facilities and beds for opioid and heroin addiction treatment
Mandate that all insurance companies extend addiction treatment stays to at least 45 days, and cover non-opioid alternatives for pain management--including massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture
Expand funding, distribution, and training for Narcan and Buprenorphine
Establish safe injection sites at known hotspots for overdose deaths

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