Daines urges NIH to hasten medication treatments to end meth addictions

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) this week continued his efforts to end methamphetamine addictions in his home state and across the country by urging the federal government to quickly develop Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) currently is pursuing MAT to combat meth addiction via seven ongoing NIH-funded trials. MATs exist for opioids, alcohol and other drugs, but not for treating meth addictions, according to a Dec. 17 letter Sen. Daines sent to NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins.

“In Montana we have a crisis wreaking havoc throughout the state: a methamphetamine epidemic. Meth is destroying families and communities, and disproportionately impacting Native American tribes,” wrote the lawmaker in his letter. “As Montana and other parts of the country confront this crisis, I write to encourage the [NIH] to continue their diligent pursuit of a Medication Assisted Treatment to combat meth addiction.”

Sen. Daines noted in his letter that there has been a 415 percent increase in meth cases from 2011 to 2017, with meth-related deaths rising 375 percent during the same years.

“Tragically, meth use is linked to more violent crimes and robberies than any other drug,” wrote the senator, noting that meth-related violent crimes shot up 35 percent in Montana from 2010 to 2016.

“These statistics are chilling,” Sen. Daines wrote, “and emphasize the need for a multifaceted approach to combat this epidemic.”

In addition to his work to secure America’s borders from illegal drug trafficking, Sen. Daines said the U.S. government also “must try and rehabilitate those suffering from meth addiction using a combination of counseling, behavioral therapies, and medications.”

He commended work by NIH thus far and encouraged the agency “to continue your efforts until we find a solution to assist Montanans in overcoming the meth epidemic.”