Amo, McDowell Push Bipartisan Legislation to Reduce Overdose Deaths

Washington, DC - TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) and Congressman Addison McDowell (R-NC) introduced the Having Overdose Protection Equipment (HOPE) Act, legislation that would ensure opioid overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone, are readily available in public places like parks, schools, and public transportation. This bill would explicitly allow states to use the federal State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program at Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to purchase public access opioid overdose reversal kits.

"Empty spots at the dinner table, parents missing milestones, names not read at graduation. That's the cost of the opioid crisis paid by far, far too many American families and communities," said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). "Making naloxone more accessible will save countless lives and I'm proud to introduce the HOPE Act with Congressman McDowell to improve access to this critical medication."

"Naloxone is one of our strongest tools in saving lives in our fight against fentanyl, with more than 90 percent of people surviving after it's administered," said Congressman Addison McDowell (R-NC). "Expanding access to naloxone will save lives in North Carolina and across the country. Even as we work to stop the flow of deadly drugs over our borders, we must also make sure families and communities have access to this life-saving treatment

"NAMI Rhode Island is proud to support the introduction of the HOPE Act. Nothing is more important than helping to connect people to the mental health help they need, and this bill, if passed, will increase access to life-saving medication for many Americans," said Beth Lamarre, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Rhode Island. "There is still a persistent stigma surrounding matters of mental health, which includes obtaining medication, or seeking treatment before a crisis occurs. By making overdose reversal medications accessible in the community, lives will be saved, and people will be given the hope for a healthier future."

"Expanding access to naloxone is essential to saving lives in the midst of the opioid crisis," said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). "The Having Overdose Protection Equipment (HOPE) Acttakes a critical step by allowing State Opioid Response grant funds to be used for public access overdose reversal kits. This legislation ensures people have immediate, low-barrier access to life-saving medication in high-traffic areas. These kits empower bystanders to act quickly during an overdose and help reduce fatalities. NAMI is proud to support this important bill."

"We all are aware of the dramatic decrease in opioid overdose death over the last year - reported as up to 25% nationally," said Linda Hurley, President and CEO of CODAC Behavioral Healthcare. "This is attributed to an increase in treatment availability, changes in illicit product, and most importantly to the remarkable proliferation of naloxone. We must continue this trend. Thank you Congressman Amo for theHope Act. Insuring public accessibility of naloxone is critical to decreasing the death toll from this insidious disease. "

"The HOPE Actis a commonsense, bipartisan solution that will save lives. Naloxone kits funded through the State Opioid Response program would give communities the flexibility they need to confront the overdose crisis head-on," said Libby Jones, Associate Vice President, Overdose Prevention Initiative,Overdose Prevention Initiative (OPI). "These kits are as essential as fire extinguishers or AEDs-lifesaving tools that should be available everywhere. This bill proves that bipartisanship is possible when the goal is clear: preventing needless deaths and keeping people connected to care. We cannot afford to restrict what works. The HOPE Actgives states another critical tool to stop overdoses before they become fatalities."

"The Addiction Professionals of North Carolina proudly endorses this legislation," said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO, Addiction Professionals of North Carolina. "As professionals who are committed to assisting those with opioid use disorders, we believe this legislation is an important step to ensure that people - and especially our youth - have access to life-saving equipment in as many settings as possible. If our workforce is to succeed in its fight against substance use, we will need every tool available to us, including increased access to Naloxone and Naloxone training. We look forward to collaborating with Rep. McDowell to pass not only this legislation, but also more bills in the future that will make North Carolina and the rest of our country safer and healthier."

The HOPE Act is endorsed by: The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC); National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI); Drug Policy Alliance; Overdose Prevention Initiative; Rhode Island NAMI; CODAC Behavioral Healthcare; Jim Carroll, Former Director of National Drug Control Policy; FFF Enterprises/HarborPath; Addiction Professionals of North Carolina; Fentanyl Victims Network; Fentanyl Fathers; and Race Against Drugs.

Background

The SOR grant program helps states and territories combat the opioid crisis by expanding access to FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and supporting comprehensive prevention, treatment, and recovery services. The program's goal is to reduce treatment gaps and overdose deaths nationwide.

In October 2024, Amo joined Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse in delivering $2.3 million in federal funding for the City of Providence to combat the opioid epidemicthrough the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.

Amo and Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse also secured $125,000 in federal funding for the Drug-Free Communities Support Programin Little Compton and Tiverton.

In September 2024, Amo joined the Rhode Island Delegation in delivering $11,363,011 for Rhode Island through the federal State Opioid Response (SOR) grant, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

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