National Drug Control Policy Director to speak at AOA House of Delegates Town Hall

National Drug Control Policy Director Michael Botticelli, informally known as the nation’s drug czar, will be speaking at the AOA House of Delegates Public Policy Town Hall on the physician role in addressing the opioid epidemic.

Botticelli will address DOs on Thursday, July 21, from 4 to 5 p.m. CT, at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.

Two years ago, Botticelli spoke to DOs at OMED, where he urged them to help prevent overdoses by prescribing naloxone with opioids.

“We have a significant opportunity here to really make sure that we are not only expanding treatment, but also expanding opportunities to keep people alive so that we can get them into treatment,” Botticelli said.

AOA involvement in the fight against opioid deaths

The AOA has worked with several groups and organizations to fight the opioid epidemic, including the White House, the U.S. Congress, the American Medical Association Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. For more information, see the following articles:

• Advocacy in action: Providing DOs with a voice in opioid discussions.
• AOA supports efforts to reduce opioid abuse.
• Physicians and pharmacists work together to reduce opioid abuse.