In a speech delivered in New Hampshire, Donald Trump announced his support for an addiction vaccine to help combat the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States.
The speech was delivered on Monday, March 19 in New Hampshire, a state which has suffered serious consequences as a result of the opioid crisis. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Granite State saw 39 people per every 100,000 die of a drug overdose in 2016, an increase from the previous year, which saw 34 people per every 100,000 die of a drug overdose.
During the speech, Trump cited multiple possible strategies for reversing the rates of addiction and overdose caused by the opioid crisis. His call to implement the death penalty for certain drug dealers is understandably attracting a majority of the attention, but his statement that the White House will support additional research into a possible addiction vaccine is also significant.
The support from the White House will bolster the efforts of the scientists who have been developing the addiction vaccine. The addiction vaccine works by stopping the euphoric sensations that are associated with the recreational use of opioids. In order to be effective, the vaccine must not interact with other medications which may be administered during addiction recovery treatment.
While testing in rats and mice has shown some success, the additional funding that will be made available to the researchers as a result of the White House’s support may help the vaccine become an essential pillar in the battle against substance abuse.
While the addiction vaccine will prove invaluable as the opioid crisis continues to cause devastation across the United States, experts argue that the only way an addiction vaccine will help foster substance abuse recovery treatment will be if it accompanied by complementary strategies.
