On International Overdose Awareness Day, the White House announced it was making major moves to tackle the overdose pandemic that is hitting communities hard. The Biden administration is pouring in more than $450 million to prevent drug misuse, treat those affected, and bring traffickers to justice.
To spotlight the devastation caused, especially by illicit fentanyl, the administration has marked this week as overdose awareness week.
A sigh of relief for many, the CDC revealed 13 months straight without a rise in overdose deaths, signaling progress in this uphill battle.
The funding includes $20.5 million towards drug-free communities, targeting local prevention efforts, and $279 million is set aside by the CDC to boost harm reduction strategies, link patients to critical care, and stay ahead of the ever-evolving overdose crisis.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.