Prioritizing Care That Cures – Fighting the Epidemic With Opioid Treatment Programs

In 2017, President Trump declared the opioid epidemic – which then was taking the lives of over 100 people each day – to be the “worst drug crisis in American history”. As he returns to office and the next presidential administration takes form, folks are debating which issues should be prioritized over the coming term. It is critical they remember the addiction crisis our country still faces now in 2025 in their plans. 

Addiction, particularly opioid addiction, is a widespread issue, impacting people from all walks of life across the country. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that over 6.1 million people aged 12 or older have an opioid use disorder (OUD).

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals there has been a reduction in the number of drug-overdose deaths in the twelve months since August 2023 – an encouraging move in the right direction. But progress should not be misinterpreted as a resolution. There is still a major crisis at hand that must continue to be addressed.

Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) are key to continued progress against the addiction epidemic. Centers that integrate medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) with personalized treatment programs are proven to be highly effective tools. By combining medication with care like counseling, OTPs are able to support individuals on dual fronts, better empowering them to overcome their struggles.

The three medications for OUD that have been approved by the FDA are buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. As a former FDA Associate Commissioner, I can attest to the agency’s commitment to protecting public health by promoting effective medications – and MOUD clearly falls into that category. By relieving cravings for opioids, these medications facilitate recovery and help patients remain in the treatment they need.

Despite their proven efficiency, a societal stigma against MOUD remains. Critics falsely claim that recovery from an addiction requires complete abstinence, demanding that survivors seeking treatment forfeit the use of certain medications. These harmful perspectives ignore the dozens of studies that prove the effectiveness of MOUD and the addiction treatment experts who advocate their use. 

Defeating a disease as oppressive and powerful as addiction is no small feat. We should not be limiting patients’ options. By encouraging use of MOUD, we are setting patients up for success by connecting them with evidence-based treatments that are scientifically proven to decrease mortality.

MOUDs should be combined with the monitoring and personalized attention that OTPs offer. Counseling amplifies the benefits of MOUD, increasing the scope of care so that the full person is treated. 

Policymakers should recognize the advantages of this multi-faceted care model and ensure legislative and regulatory environments allow for its continued growth. The rejection of effective OTPs is a misguided stance that will inhibit patients’ recovery rather than supporting it.

Healthcare is an ever-evolving opportunity and challenge. In order to face it, advocating effective treatments should be a top priority for new leadership. As our country continues the battle against addiction, we must prioritize treatments that grant patients the autonomy and respect they deserve, and that are effective in continuing to reduce drug-overdose deaths.

Photo: sorbetto, Getty Images

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