JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — As the Missouri House of Representatives approved a budget plan that includes new funding to help Missourians battling substance abuse, state Reps. Keith Frederick and Cora Faith Walker worked together in bipartisan fashion to pass legislation that would provide additional treatment options to those struggling with addiction. Frederick and Walker helped secure initial approval for HB 2105, which would create the Increased Access to Opioid Addiction Act.
“As we continue to witness the ongoing tragedy of opioid addiction and death from overdose, the Missouri Legislature is taking innovative and bold steps to attempt to bring proven methods of prevention and treatment to the citizens of Missouri,” said Frederick, R-Rolla. “The Increased Access to Treatment of Opioid Addiction Act represents an innovative evidence-based method to provide effective treatment to Missourians from all walks of life who are struggling with addiction.”
“This epidemic affects people from across all walks of life, and our state needs to move from criminalizing individuals struggling with substance to providing the treatment they need. People need help, not handcuffs,” said Walker, D-Ferguson.
Walker and Frederick noted that drug overdoses account for more than 60,000 deaths in the United States every year, which is more than the total number who lost their lives in the entire Vietnam War. They said the epidemic is taking thousands of lives all across the United States and Missouri is not exempt from its grip. They also pointed to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on March 28th, 2018 that in 2016, there were more than 42,000 deaths from opioid overdoses, up from 33,000 deaths in 2015. Frederick and Walker said the fact the CDC is reporting that life expectancy in the U.S. dropped for the second year in a row due to overdose deaths is ample motivation to want to save the lives of many through the power of legislation.
In addition to several measures aimed at prevention, HB 2105 includes provisions that will create access to the most effective method of treatment of addiction to opioids, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Through the regular use of medications like Buprenorphine or Suboxone, individuals who struggle with addiction to opioids can return to a productive and rewarding life.
To accomplish this, Missouri has two resources not available to most other states. First is a method of disseminating scientific knowledge and clinical experiences through the use of Enhanced Community Health Outreach, or ECHO which is technology that brings expertise from our major centers out to communities across our state.
The second advantage that Missouri has is a “workforce multiplier”, and that is through the use of new category of physicians. This newly licensed category of physicians was created in Missouri in 2014, when Missouri was the first state in the nation to create Assistant Physicians. Frederick and Walker said the state now has a large number of doctors who are willing to come to Missouri and go to underserved areas to work in collaboration with experienced addiction treatment doctors to make MAT available in all 114 of Missouri’s counties.
“For decades, the opioid epidemic has been prevalent in communities all over the nation. Promoting evidence-based practices surrounding treatment of substance use disorders and mental health is integral to combating this epidemic. Rather than criminalization and criticism, medication assisted treatment, combined with offering support and encouragement, can help empower individuals working towards recovery to lead a healthy and productive lives,” said Walker.
“We are pleased to be able to work together to try to achieve passage of this very important and groundbreaking legislation right here in Missouri. We have worked together to forge this legislation along with our colleagues in our respective parties who are all very aware of the magnitude of the problem and the need for action,” said Frederick. He added, “We believe that this is an issue that our sense of humanity, regardless of our party affiliation, draws us to work collaboratively to throw a life line to Missourians of all socio-economic status and all walks of life that desperately need help. We want the constituents of all members of the Missouri House to know how committed your Representatives are to seeking proven methods to provide opportunities for a second chance at life for those who suffer with addiction.”
HB 2105 requires another vote in the House before moving to the Senate for consideration.
