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Call 1.855.378.4373 to schedule a call time with a specialist

    Based on our decades of research and expertise, we know know what needs to be done to effectively respond to the addiction crisis, but we can’t do it alone. While data is essential, the individuals and families who have been impacted bring the issue of addiction to life. Their stories change hearts and minds. Join the community of other advocates who are breaking down barriers and working to transform how our nation addresses addiction. Together, we can do this.

    Discover all the ways you can take action now.

    Make Your Voice Heard

    We use our data and expertise to identify priorities for changing how our nation addresses addiction. When Congress introduces legislation that aligns with these priorities we will provide you an opportunity to make your voice heard.

    Please take a moment to send letters to your members of Congress on these addiction-related pieces of legislation. All it takes is entering your name, address, and email!

    Provide resources for families impacted by addiction

    Families impacted by addiction are often excluded from or not considered in addiction care, and supports for family members are often lacking and underfunded. Addiction affects not just individuals, but entire families, and policies should provide funding and support to ensure families are included alongside those with substance use disorder.

    The Supporting Families Through Addiction Act will provide critical funding needed to expand the availability of support services for families impacted by addiction. Read More
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    The SAFE in Recovery Act would make care more accessible for parents with SUD, prevent undue family separation, and ensure effective treatment and wraparound services are available to families. Read More
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    Support an early and broad approach to substance use prevention

    An early and broad approach to prevention promotes healthy youth development and resilience, supports youth mental health, addresses social determinants of health that are risk factors for substance use, and starts in early childhood when the seeds of risk and resilience are planted.

    Expand access to quality addiction care

    Policies should reduce federal legal and regulatory barriers to medications for opioid use disorder, integrate addiction treatment into the mainstream health care system, and improve access to treatment in the criminal legal system.

    The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act would reform methadone rules to help reduce stigma and increase access to the critical treatment. Read More
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    The Moms Matter Act would invest in services to support pregnant and postpartum individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Read More
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    COVID flexibilities allowing buprenorphine prescribing without first requiring an in-person exam are set to expire. The TREATS Act would make these flexibilities permanent to preserve expanded treatment access. Read More
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    The Strengthening Our Pediatric Mental Health Workforce Act would help increase the availability and accessibility of providers trained to treat youth mental health and substance use disorders. Read More
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    Make treatment affordable

    In order for treatment to be affordable for patients, there must be improved compliance with and enforcement of federal parity requirements and strengthened requirements for health plans to cover substance use disorder benefits.

    The Better Mental Health Care for Americans Act would expand parity protections and access to mental health and addiction services. Read More
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    Families are still fighting to receive the mental health and substance use insurance benefits they are due. Tell Congress to strengthen Parity Act enforcement tools. Read More
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    The Behavioral Health Network and Directory Improvement Act would strengthen network adequacy standards and directory accuracy requirements for mental health and addiction provider networks. Read More
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    Prevent overdoses and save lives

    Harm reduction is an essential component of a comprehensive public health approach to the addiction crisis. Policies should promote strategies shown to improve the health, safety, and well-being of those who use substances and reduce barriers to tools such as naloxone, syringe services, and test strips.

    Test strips that can detect the presence of fentanyl, xylazine, and other adulterants in drugs are a critical harm reduction tool but are considered illegal drug paraphernalia in many states. The Ensuring Nationwide Access to Test Strips Act would ensure that test strips for all substances are permitted in all states. Read More
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    Implement and support a public health approach

    A public health approach to the addiction crisis is supported by decades of research. Financial investments, infrastructure supports, and other structural changes are needed to implement such an approach.

    The Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act would provide $125 billion over 10 years to address the addiction crisis. Read More
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    Reduce racial disparities in addiction policies

    BIPOC communities have been disproportionality harmed by the criminalization of substance use and have inequitable access to quality prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services. Policies must work to reduce these disparities and ensure care is available for all.

    The sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine has helped fuel mass incarceration and has disproportionately harmed people of color. The EQUAL Act would eliminate this disparity. Read More
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    The Mental Health Justice Act would support sending trained mental health professionals instead of police to respond to behavioral health crises. Read More
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    Reduce stigma and raise public awareness about addiction and emerging threats

    The long-standing framing of addiction as a moral issue has contributed to a high level of stigma against substance use, addiction, and addiction treatment. Stigma contributes to ineffective policies and harms individuals and families impacted by substance use. Education to increase awareness about addiction and emerging threats such as synthetic opioids is needed to reduce stigma and harm.

    Bruce’s Law would bolster fentanyl prevention and education efforts to help reduce fentanyl-related overdoses. Read More
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    Call to Action
    Ready to do more?

    What does it mean to be an advocate? Our toolkit provides step-by-step instructions, including tips for building relationships and effectively communicating with lawmakers. We are building a movement to transform how our nation addresses addiction, and we need your voice!

    In case you missed it, view our Introduction to Advocacy webinar.

    Get your advocacy toolkit

    Your story can spark change

    Nearly half of all Americans have a family member or close friend with addiction. This issue affects so many more people than most realize.

    We know the science and the statistics, but what motivates change are stories of real people. Your stories. We’ll help you find your voice.

    Learn more about the potential power of storytelling from current family advocates.
    Watch now
    With our guidance, your story can help transform how our nation addresses addiction.
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