Communities all across the United States have been trying to figure out how to ameliorate the widespread opioid epidemic that is affecting the whole country. Some cities and towns have instated community outreach services that are designed to raise awareness about this issue, and some have established programs meant to directly link people with the services they need to make their lives better by becoming sober. More recently, in California, one legislator is working on a new and innovative approach to tackling the battle against opioid abuse in America.
New Tax on Painkiller Wholesalers Can Help Many Grappling with Addiction
Kevin McCarty, a Democrat Assemblyman from Sacramento, recently proposed a new tax bill called AB 1512 that would essentially charge wholesalers of prescription painkillers when importing these medications into the state of California. Consumers who are prescribed these medications and need them are not going to be affected by this tax. It is the companies that stock pharmacies’ shelves that will ultimately be impacted by the passing of this bill, as the plan is to charge one cent per milligram for opioid painkillers. With the money generated by this tax, McCarty intends to apply it to programming options for men and women who wish to break free from the grips of addiction.
It is widely known that an addiction to prescription painkillers and heroin can be exceptionally difficult to overcome without professional help. Additionally, in some areas of California, the services available are often so expensive that seeking effective treatment is a cost that residents are simply not willing to take on. Furthermore, with regards to grappling with such an addiction itself, the withdrawal symptoms that emerge once the abuse of opioids ceases can often be a deterrent for seeking treatment as well. With the money brought in by this proposed tax, however, men and women could access affordable addiction services that can treat withdrawal and the other phases of the recovery process so that more individuals can become sober and live lives free from the abuse of opioids.
Access to Affordable Addiction Treatment Can Mean the End of the Opioid Crisis
As stated, McCarty’s suggested tax could bring in a new revenue source that can be put towards helping California residents get the care they need to recover from opioid addictions. Presently, there are numerous addiction treatment centers in the state, though many of them are either too costly or only offer just a handful of services that do not necessarily treat all that contributes to the development of an addiction. But, with more state money put towards addiction treatment, it is quite possible that people of all ages could get detox and therapeutic services that can end an addiction to opioids for good. Additionally, McCarty has stated that this potential funding source could also provide invaluable resources to communities that are both heavily impacted by opioid abuse and are currently lacking the supports required to help community members.
As it is right now, law enforcement, medical personnel, addiction treatment providers, and communities in general have been on the frontline of the opioid abuse crisis in this country. However, via efforts like what McCarty is trying to accomplish, the government can also play an integral role in helping people abstain from the abuse of heroin and prescription painkillers and get the treatment that is needed to put an end to this raging issue. Furthermore, McCarty also states that he is hoping that his bill will lead to fewer deaths related to prescription painkiller and heroin abuse, and that communities in California and all across the nation will know the danger associated with these drugs and avoid abusing them at all costs.
At The Landing of Newport Beach, men are able to get the specific and specialized care they require to defeat a dependence upon heroin and/or prescription painkillers. In choosing to come to this oceanside center, men can work in close collaboration with a team of dedicated professionals who are fully committed to offering around-the-clock support and encouragement to all who come to reclaim their lives from addiction. Additionally, this center is pleased to offer a full spectrum of services that guide men towards the recovered lives they desire. Detox services, residential care, partial hospitalization programming, and outpatient services round out the treatment experience at The Landing, and are the services that have helped countless men of all ages win the war against addiction. Therefore, until AB 1512 is approved and enforced, The Landing is there to help men heal from drug and alcohol addiction and develop the confidence and skills needed to leave the abuse of opioids in the past once and for all.
