Bipartisan Joyce, Johnson resolution recognizes addiction workforce

U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Bill Johnson (R-OH) want to officially recognize America’s addiction professionals workforce of more than 100,000 counselors, educators and other addiction-focused healthcare employees.

“I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution to recognize the role addiction professionals play in successful substance use disorder treatment and counseling,” said Rep. Joyce, vice chair of the Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus. “We must continue to do everything in our power to support them and their life-saving work on the front lines of our nation’s addiction crisis.”

Rep. Joyce on April 30 sponsored House Resolution (H.Res.) 364 with original cosponsors including Rep. Johnson and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) to recognize the contributions of the professionals who specialize in prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery support and education. Rep. Ryan serves as co-chair of the Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus.

“Addiction has long plagued millions of Americans, but the threat it poses increased significantly due to the isolation and instability caused by COVID-19,” said Rep. Joyce. “It is critical that our communities have access to the full range of treatment and recovery services needed to effectively tackle addiction.”

If enacted, H.Res. 364 would state that the U.S. House of Representatives supports the delivery of evidence-based care for substance use disorder by acknowledging the contributions of addiction professionals, according to the text of the resolution, which also would encourage that recognized credentials reflect the requisite knowledge, training and competencies for delivering quality, effective substance use disorder counseling.

“The counselors, teachers and healthcare experts on our front lines combating addiction, especially during this challenging COVID-19 pandemic, deserve our support for their life-changing work,” said Rep. Johnson. “That’s why I’ve joined several of my colleagues — Democrats and Republicans — to recognize their contributions to the individuals, families and communities that are being ravaged by addiction. 

“I’m thankful for their hard work, and I know that anyone who has dealt with addiction first hand is as well,” Rep. Johnson added.

The resolution garnered support from the Association for Addiction Professionals, the Addiction Policy Forum, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Professionals, and the Northeast Ohio Hospital Opioid Consortium.