Skip to main content
Policy Forum

Expanding Access to Methadone Treatment

Watch the Event

Join the conversation on X using #CatoHealth. Follow @CatoInstitute on X to get future event updates, live streams, and videos from the Cato Institute.

Date and Time
-
Location
Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC
Share This Event
Featuring
Donald Norcross cropped photo
Representative Donald W. Norcross

(D‑NJ)

Jeffrey H. Samet
Jeffrey H. Samet, MD, MA, MPH

Professor of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, and Professor of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health

Helen Redmond
Helen Redmond, MSW, LCSW

Senior Editor, Filter, Multimedia Journalist and Filmmaker, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Social Work at New York University Silver School of Social Work

The National Center for Health Statistics reported that more than 107,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2021. More than three-quarters of overdose deaths involved opioids. Recent research estimates the number of adults living with opioid use disorder (OUD) ranges from 6.7 million to 7.6 million. These estimates suggest that 1–2 of every 100 U.S. residents has OUD.

In the United States, federal and state laws require people with OUD who seek treatment with methadone to travel to government-approved opioid treatment programs (OTPs), which limits access to methadone treatment. Increasing access to OUD treatment would reduce the number of people who seek drugs in the dangerous black market and, in turn, reduce the risk and incidence of overdose deaths.

Please join our distinguished panel to discuss ways to reform current methadone laws to destigmatize people with OUD, respect their humanity, and improve their access to methadone treatment.

Lunch to follow

Policy Analysis - 960 - Cover
Featured Study

Expand Access to Methadone Treatment

Federal and state regulations discriminate against, stigmatize, and dehumanize opioid users, and limit access to methadone treatment for many people who need and can benefit from such treatment.

Additional Resources