The Biden-Harris Administration launched the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose to help fight against the opioid overdose crisis.
The opioid overdose crisis has had a massive impact on everyone in the United States, and many have begun to make strides in helping combat this widespread issue, from grassroots organizations to local, state, and federal government entities. President Biden and his administration have continued to push forward in their efforts since he took office in 2021 by signing multiple bills such as the MAT Act, which allowed for nearly two million medical practitioners across the US to provide life-saving treatment for opioid use disorder.
More recently, President Biden called on Congress to come together and help unite the country during his State of the Union Address. His Unity Agenda strives to combat multiple issues plaguing the country, and at the forefront is strengthening the government and society as a whole’s response to the ongoing opioid overdose epidemic. Victories that have already been achieved include investing $100 billion to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs and expand access to treatment, as well as the FDA’s approval of over-the-counter use of Naloxone.
Today, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose to support the agenda further. They are calling on organizations and businesses across the country to help in the fight to reduce opioid-related deaths and are encouraging leaders to implement measures that work. This includes training employees on opioid reversal medications, keeping those medications in first aid kits, and distributing products like Narcan.
While businesses and organizations are urged to commit and share their efforts in the fight, the Biden-Harris Administration recognized those who have already begun to take action. Insomniac Events was recognized for its actions in the entertainment industry via its partnership with End Overdose. Since joining forces in 2022, they have trained over 100,000 festival-goers on how to respond to an opioid overdose while also providing over 1.8 million people with resources.
Other recognized organizations include 17 US-based airlines like Southwest and American, the Chicago Department of Aviation, the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association, the American Library Association, the Los Angeles Unified School District, multiple state and local transit systems nationwide, and more.
Head to the official website for more details on the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose. Check out End Overdose for additional information and resources on how you can help in the fight against opioid overdoses.
