GMHC Reacts To Opioid Plan

Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) is concerned that not enough is being done to address the growing opioid epidemic which in 2016 claimed the lives of more than 60,000 Americans. While all public health experts agree that there is a need for a coordinated, high-level response to the opioid epidemic, many experts believe that the Trump's Public Health Emergency Declaration does little to take real action to address the opioid crisis. In addition GMHC strongly opposes potential efforts under the Public Health Emergency Declaration to redirect funding from HIV/AIDS programs. Kelsey Louie GMHC CEO stated, “If the President is truly concerned about the opioid crisis, he should issue a Declaration of Emergency, which includes specific actions designed to address the infectious disease-related aspects of the epidemic—namely, the rising cases of HIV, other STIs & Hepatitis C related to injection drug use— through the expansion of access to clean injection equipment. The Declaration should include funding to expand access to clean injection equipment & address addiction to opioids. It should also provide funding to combat overdoses, including facilitating widespread availability to naloxone to prevent overdose deaths.” GMHC stands in solidarity with all people working to end the opioid epidemic & believes that a strong public health approach will better address the opioid crisis and related public health crises, like Hepatitis C & also propel us closer to ending the HIV epidemic in the United States.
For More Info: gmhc.org
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