On April 1st, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration released their drug policy priorities for their first year in office. Statutorily due to Congress in an inaugural year, these priorities are:
- Expanding access to evidence-based treatment;
- Advancing racial equity issues in drug policy;
- Enhancing evidence-based harm reduction efforts;
- Supporting evidence-based prevention efforts to reduce youth substance use;
- Reducing the supply of illicit substances;
- Advancing recovery-ready workplaces and expanding the addiction workforce; and
- Expanding access to recovery support services.
The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) will coordinate these drug policies by convening federal agencies and setting drug control budget and policy priorities for the government.
This statement complements the appropriations for behavioral health services in the American Rescue Plan, which President Biden signed into law in March. The law provides nearly $4 billion to enable the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health Resources and Services Administration to expand access to behavioral health services.