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Office of National Drug Control Policy

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Remembering our colleague, Ed Jurith

It is with great sadness that today we announce the passing of our beloved colleague, Ed Jurith.
November 12, 2013 at 3:38 PM ET by Gil Kerlikowske, Director, National Drug Control Policy

A Veterans Day Message

This Veterans Day, we join President Obama, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the entire country in honoring our Nation’s veterans.
November 8, 2013 at 6:01 PM ET by Cameron Hardesty

Ending Discrimination and Opening the Doors to Treatment: Drug Policy Reform

Today, Director Kerlikowske joins the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, Treasury, and the Office of the Vice President in announcing the final rules providing equal coverage or parity for individuals needing treatment for mental health or substance use disorders and who are covered by group and individual health plans.
November 8, 2013 at 11:11 AM ET by Rafael Lemaitre

A Different Kind of Birthday

Today, ONDCP Deputy Director Michael Botticelli celebrates a different kind of birthday.
November 4, 2013 at 3:51 PM ET by Michael Botticelli

October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. Read the Presidential Proclamation.
October 22, 2013 at 5:02 PM ET by Cameron Hardesty

Notice

Due to Congress’s failure to pass legislation to fund the government, the information on this site may not be up to date. Some submissions may not be processed, and we may not be able to respond to your inquiries.
October 1, 2013 at 9:54 AM ET by ONDCP Staff

Innovation in Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Treatment

Today, the Office of National Drug Control Policy hosted a conference at the White House to highlight innovative technologies for substance abuse treatment, wellness, mental and behavioral health. Supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), the Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the conference was kicked off by U.S. Chief Technology Officer Todd Park and Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske.
September 16, 2013 at 5:47 PM ET by Cameron Hardesty

Substance Abuse Prevention is Suicide Prevention

When we prevent or successfully treat substance abuse, we prevent suicides. There is a powerful connection between the missions of the substance abuse prevention and treatment communities and the suicide prevention community – and much to be gained when these groups come together around their common goals.
September 10, 2013 at 4:41 PM ET by David A. Litts & Colleen Carr

Announcing the Opioid Overdose Toolkit

In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, this Saturday, August 31, we are joining other federal partners to announce the release of the Opioid Overdose Toolkit. The Toolkit, developed by the Department of Health and Human Services, provides information on overdose prevention, treatment and recovery for first responders, prescribers, and patients.
August 28, 2013 at 11:32 AM ET by Michael Botticelli

Real #DrugPolicyReform: DOJ’s Change in Mandatory Minimum Policies

Today, the Department of Justice refined its charging policies regarding mandatory minimums for certain nonviolent, low-level drug offenses. The policy changes are part of the Department of Justice’s “Smart on Crime” initiative, a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system aimed at ensuring federal laws are enforced more fairly, and federal resources are used more efficiently, by focusing on top law enforcement priorities.
August 12, 2013 at 1:00 PM ET by Rafael Lemaitre

Real #DrugPolicyReform: DOJ’s New Criteria on Compassionate Release Requests

In a new Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Program Statement issued today, the BOP will clarify and expand the criteria the BOP uses to review compassionate release requests – which are also referred to as “reduction in sentence” (RIS) requests.
August 12, 2013 at 1:00 AM ET by Rafael Lemaitre

Honoring National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Since 2008, July has been recognized as Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to explore issues concerning mental health and substance use disorders in our communities.
July 31, 2013 at 11:56 AM ET by David K. Mineta & Ben Ray Luján

2013 National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy Released

Today, the Office of National Drug Control Policy released the 2013 National Southwest Border Counternarcotics Strategy, a key component of the Obama Administration’s unprecedented work to strengthen security along the Southwest border.
July 2, 2013 at 3:12 PM ET by R. Gil Kerlikowske

Guest Post: A Policy Focus on Recovery in New York

On June 4th, Deputy Director Michael Botticelli joined public health officials in New York to discuss integrating a focus on recovery into alcohol and substance abuse treatment services.
June 28, 2013 at 2:54 PM ET by Lureen McNeil & Peter Gaumond

Cross Post: Statement by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Supreme Court Ruling on Defense of Marriage Act

Today’s Supreme Court decision finding the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional is a victory for equality, which is a core belief of this administration.
June 27, 2013 at 10:35 AM ET by Cross-posted from HHS Newsroom

Synthetic Drugs - An Emerging Global Threat

"Bath salts, spice, and jewelry cleaner" – what sounds like a normal shopping list is actually a list of new and dangerous drugs known as new psychoactive substances (NPS), many of which are synthetic cannibanoids.
June 26, 2013 at 4:28 PM ET by William R. Brownfield

Sesame Street, Incarceration and Drug Policy Reform

Today over 2 million children have a parent who is incarcerated, and the Champions of Change honored yesterday work every day to bring stability and support to these young people and their families.
June 13, 2013 at 4:53 PM ET by Cameron Hardesty

Lowering Incarceration Rates, Honoring Children of Incarcerated Parents

Today, the White House honors twelve Champions of Change who are helping children of incarcerated parents and their caregivers. These heroes work every day to help families affected by incarceration.
June 12, 2013 at 12:26 PM ET by Meredith DeFraites

Director Kerlikowske Delivers Keynote Remarks at NMPI Conference

On May 7, ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske delivered keynote remarks at the annual Strategy Summit of the National Methamphetamine and Pharmaceuticals Initiative (NMPI) in Charleston, South Carolina.
June 10, 2013 at 2:51 PM ET by ONDCP Staff

Cross Post: Hepatitis C Infection Among Young Injection Drug Users: Addressing an Emerging Trend

June 6, 2013 at 11:30 AM ET by Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Guest post: Michael Banyard’s Story, Part 4 – Final Entry

In June 2012, National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske visited the Betty Ford Center, one of the Nation’s oldest and most recognized addiction treatment facilities. There he gave remarks to a crowd of leaders in the field of recovery. In the audience were two special guests—Michael Banyard and Federal District Court Judge Spencer Letts. In his remarks, Director Kerlikowske mentioned Banyard’s improbable—and inspirational—journey from crack cocaine dependence and homelessness, to prison, to a successful sentence appeal, to the chambers of a federal district court judge and completion of his GED.
June 3, 2013 at 3:27 PM ET by Michael Banyard, Founder, Each1Reach1Teach1.org

ADAM II Report and Alcohol

Last week, we released the 2012 Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Annual Report (ADAM II), a long running study that reveals the percentage of arrestees in certain U.S. cities/counties testing positive for at least one illegal drug at the time of arrest. Typically, however, the annual ADAM report does not include findings about alcohol use. Why? Here are three reasons.
May 28, 2013 at 5:57 PM ET by Rafael Lemaitre

New Arrestee Data Underscore Need for 21st Century Approach to Drug Policy Reform

Director Kerlikowske announced new data today confirming the nexus between drug use and crime; called for expanded criminal justice reform.
May 23, 2013 at 2:00 PM ET by R. Gil Kerlikowske

Alcoholics Anonymous: Original Twelve Step Recovery Program

As part of national efforts to raise public awareness about recovery and maintain dialogue with diverse recovery community stakeholders, ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske visited the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) in New York City.
May 10, 2013 at 11:40 AM ET by Peter Gaumond, Chief, ONDCP Recovery Branch

Drug Policy Reform Through Alternative Courts

A guest post from actor and drug court advocate Matthew Perry, who visited the White House today to discuss the President's plan for drug policy reform.
May 6, 2013 at 2:00 PM ET by Matthew Perry, Actor and Celebrity Ambassador for National Association of Drug Court Professionals

Drug Policy Reform In Action: A 21st Century Approach

Today we are releasing a science-driven plan for drug policy reform in America. This 21st century drug policy outlines a series of evidence-based reforms that treat our Nation’s drug problem as a public health issue, not just a criminal justice issue. This policy underscores what we all know to be true: we cannot arrest or incarcerate our way out of the drug problem.
April 24, 2013 at 10:16 AM ET by R. Gil Kerlikowske

Protecting Our Environment and Our Health: Earth Day + National Take-Back Day

April 22, 2013 at 10:46 AM ET by R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director, National Drug Control Policy and Nancy Sutley, Chair, Council on Environmental Quality

Director Kerlikowske Speaks at National Press Club

This afternoon, Director Kerlikowske delivered remarks at the National Press Club about drug policy reform and the Administration’s 21st century approach to drug policy.
April 17, 2013 at 2:09 PM ET by Cameron Hardesty

FDA Takes Action on Prescription Drug Abuse

Yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took an important step in addressing America’s prescription drug abuse epidemic.
April 17, 2013 at 11:00 AM ET by Cameron Hardesty

Guest Post: Michael Banyard’s Story, Part 3

In June 2012, National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske visited the Betty Ford Center, one of the Nation’s oldest and most recognized addiction treatment facilities. There he gave remarks to a crowd of leaders in the field of recovery. In the audience were two special guests—Michael Banyard and Federal District Court Judge Spencer Letts. In his remarks, Director Kerlikowske mentioned Banyard’s improbable—and inspirational—journey from crack cocaine dependence and homelessness, to prison, to a successful sentence appeal, to the chambers of a federal district court judge and completion of his GED.
April 11, 2013 at 5:20 PM ET by Michael Banyard, Founder, Each1Reach1Teach1.org