The overdose epidemic has taken a toll on far too many Americans and their loved ones. Addiction is a disease that touches families in every community, including my own. The epidemic is national, but the impact is personal. It is personal to the millions who confront substance use disorder every day, and to the families who have lost loved ones to an overdose.

During Overdose Awareness Week, we recommit to taking bold actions to prevent overdoses and related deaths, and enhance our support for individuals with substance use disorders.

The government wants to give more nurses access to a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, in a bid to curb spiralling numbers of drug-related deaths. A consultation has been launched to amend current regulations in order to allow a wider group of professionals to hold naloxone and give it out to individuals to keep in the event of a future overdose.

The government wants to give more nurses access to a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, in a bid to curb spiralling numbers of drug-related deaths. A consultation has been launched to amend current regulations in order to allow a wider group of professionals to hold naloxone and give it out to individuals to keep in the event of a future overdose.