In this month’s CivicPoint D.C. Deep Dive, Jonathan Miller, CivicPoint principal, interviews Jim Carroll, the former White House Drug Czar and newest member of the Frost Brown Todd/CivicPoint team, to discuss the opioid/fentanyl crisis and his mission to address it. During his time as the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Carroll focused on three main goals: educating people about the dangers of opioids, reducing the number of opioid prescriptions, and supporting individuals in treatment and recovery. Under President Trump, the administration allocated significant funds towards these efforts, resulting in a reduction in the number of fatal opioid overdoses for the first time in 29 years.
Now working in the private sector, Carroll continues his work on combating the opioid crisis. He collaborates with clients involved in education, treatment, and law enforcement to save lives. This includes working with law enforcement agencies to train personnel for educating communities, supporting the development of cutting-edge treatment technologies, and partnering with parents’ organizations to raise awareness and advocate for stricter regulations on fentanyl. Carroll emphasizes the bipartisan nature of the issue and expresses optimism that Congress will take action to address the crisis. He expects to see legislation focused on deploying technology at the border to prevent the entry of fentanyl, enhancing penalties for fentanyl traffickers, and making technical changes to effectively regulate the different varieties of fentanyl.
Regarding the access to settlement dollars for companies in the recovery space, Carroll advises that maintaining relationships with state legislators is crucial. By highlighting the positive work these companies are doing, such as developing innovative treatment methods and increasing the availability of life-saving drugs like Naloxone, they can secure funding more efficiently.
In response to a personal question, Carroll expresses optimism and emphasizes the importance of spreading the message of recovery. He believes that with improved education, technological advancements, and the continued efforts of individuals and organizations, it is possible to address the opioid crisis and help people break free from addiction. Carroll acknowledges the pain experienced by those who have lost loved ones and affirms that their memory serves as motivation to continue fighting the crisis.
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