
Trump Administration Extends Opioid Emergency as Overdoses Decline
The extension of the emergency declaration, originally set to expire on March 21, continues to allocate funding to addressing the opioid crisis.
The Trump administration
The move comes as the Wall Street Journal reports that the number of drug overdoses has
However, even as these declines were reported, the number of deaths related to overdoses—totaling 82,000 in the 12-month period—were still higher than they were a decade ago. Unintentional drug overdose deaths
A drop in the use of opioids could be among of the factors relating to the decrease in overdoses, with opioid use disorder declining each year since 2015. The availability of overdose-reversing drugs, such as buprenorphine, methadone, and naloxone, has likely also played a part in preventing overdoses. The FDA
Addiction treatment and street drug recovery have also been helped by Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Approximately 12% of beneficiaries using Medicaid have substance use disorder, and Medicaid
The emergency declaration will last for approximately 90 days before it is set to expire again barring another extension. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr said in a statement that the public health emergency declaration will allow for flexibility when addressing the opioid crisis across the country.
References
- Mann B. Trump administration extends opioid emergency as fentanyl deaths drop. NPR. March 19, 2025. Accessed March 20, 2025.
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/19/nx-s1-5333651/opioid-trump-fentanyl-emergency-overdose - Wernau J, Abbott B. Drug overdoses are on the decline, in charts. Wall Street Journal. March 20, 2025. Accessed March 20, 2025.
https://www.wsj.com/health/drug-overdoses-are-on-the-decline-in-charts-d55403bd - Curtin SC. Trends in death rates for leading methods of injury: United States, 2003-2023. CDC. March 2025. Accessed March 20, 2025.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db526.htm - Bonavitacola J. Deaths due to opioid overdose fall for the 12th consecutive month. AJMC®. November 14, 2024. Accessed March 20, 2025.
https://www.ajmc.com/view/deaths-due-to-opioid-overdose-fall-for-the-12th-consecutive-month - HealthDay. Biden administration calls for greater access to overdose antidote. U.S. News & World Report. March 13, 2024. Accessed March 20, 2025.
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-03-13/biden-administration-calls-for-greater-access-to-overdose-antidote - Substance use disorders. Medicaid.gov. Accessed March 20, 2025.
https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/behavioral-health-services/substance-use-disorders/index.html - Bonavitacola J. Trump endorses budget that would slash Medicaid funding. AJMC. February 20, 2025. Accessed March 20, 2025.
https://www.ajmc.com/view/trump-endorses-budget-that-would-slash-medicaid-funding
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