The overdose crisis requires more than just medical interventions like Narcan. America is struggling with faith and hope, and solving addiction demands addressing the spiritual dimension by reestablishing community ties and providing purpose for young people. While practical tools are important, they won't solve the deeper issues causing the epidemic — we need to focus on restoring families and community commitment to create lasting change.
Cutting the Narcan program during a continuing opioid crisis is dangerously shortsighted and contradicts evidence-based approaches to addiction. The dramatic 24% drop in overdose deaths is directly linked to increased Narcan availability, and removing this life-saving resource will reverse hard-won progress. Eliminating proven interventions while waiting for societal changes will result in preventable deaths, particularly in rural and underserved communities that rely on federal support for these essential resources.