With drug overdose fatalities at a new record high—88,000 for the 12-month period ending August 2020—the Biden administration has finally announced its drug policy priorities, focusing on expanding treatment, harm reduction and education and prevention programs aimed at youth substance abuse. Noting that the addiction crisis has taken too great a toll on Americans and their families, the White House and Office of National Drug Policy Control (ONDCP) said the priorities are part of a “bold” effort to reduce overdoses and save lives, and are founded on evidence-based practices and ensuring racial equity. T
he statement also calls for reducing the supply of illicit substances, and advocates for “recovery-ready” workplaces—employment programs for people in recovery—and expanding the addiction workforce. While describing the implementation of these policies as “urgent,” the statement does not include any mention of significant new funding, aside from the $4 billion included in the American Rescue Plan earmarked for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Agency.
There was no word about a $125 billion program over the next decade to combat the opioid epidemic, promised by Biden during the campaign. Also no mention of who will be the nation’s “drug czar” running ONDCP (there is now an acting director) and whether this position will be brought back to the cabinet to give it more clout. And surprisingly, the policy priorities ignore marijuana legalization and cannabis reform at a time when states are moving quickly to legalize the drug amid concerns about public health and safety.