Murkowski advocates for bipartisan substance abuse recovery bill

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) recently advocated for the bipartisan Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act, which she proposed to reauthorize and improve block grants for prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

“I’ve heard firsthand from Alaskans across the state about the power of recovery support services,” Sen. Murkowski said on June 16. “Recovery is not a simple, short-term process, but together, with the appropriate resources, we have the ability to help turn the tide of the substance abuse epidemic.” 

Sen. Murkowski on May 25 introduced S. 4301 alongside U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) to increase investments in substance misuse prevention, treatment and recovery programs by creating a set-aside for recovery support services in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG), which is set to expire at the end of 2022. 

“Building on my years-long effort to prevent further drug overdoses in Alaska, I’m joining Senators Hassan and Luján in a push to authorize a 10 percent set-aside for recovery services in the SABG which will provide greater access to long-term recovery services,” said Sen. Murkowski. 

S. 4301 also would bolster the SABG by increasing potential funding for the program from $1.9 billion to $3.2 billion, and would bar funds from going to recovery programs that are not evidence-based, according to a bill summary provided by the senator’s staff.

For instance, organizations that refuse to serve individuals receiving medication-assisted treatment — which is the gold standard for opioid use disorder treatment — would not be able to receive funding, the summary says.

“We must continue to strengthen substance misuse prevention, treatment and recovery programs,” said Sen. Hassan. “As this crisis evolves, our bipartisan legislation takes critical steps to increase investments in addressing substance misuse and ensure that we specifically support recovery and proven treatment programs.”

True North Recovery and Recover Alaska endorsed S. 4301.

“I thank the many Alaskan recovery organizations who are working to meet the needs of countless Alaskans who have fallen into the cycle of substance abuse,” Sen. Murkowski said. “Their support of this legislation and the advocacy they provide vulnerable individuals in our state is so important.”