42 U.S.C. § 290bb–25g (THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE)
§ 290bb–25g. Awareness campaigns
(a) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in coordination with the heads of other departments and agencies, shall advance education and awareness regarding the risks related to misuse and abuse of opioids, as appropriate, which may include developing or improving existing programs, conducting activities, and awarding grants that advance the education and awareness of—
(1) the public, including patients and consumers—
(A) generally; and
(B) regarding such risks related to unused opioids and the dispensing options under section 829(f) of title 21, as applicable; and
(2) providers, which may include—
(A) providing for continuing education on appropriate prescribing practices;
(B) education related to applicable State or local prescriber limit laws, information on the use of non-addictive alternatives for pain management, and the use of overdose reversal drugs, as appropriate;
(C) disseminating and improving the use of evidence-based opioid prescribing guidelines across relevant health care settings, as appropriate, and updating guidelines as necessary;
(D) implementing strategies, such as best practices, to encourage and facilitate the use of prescriber guidelines, in accordance with State and local law;
(E) disseminating information to providers about prescribing options for controlled substances, including such options under section 829(f) of title 21, as applicable; and
(F) disseminating information, as appropriate, on the National Pain Strategy developed by or in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Health; and
(3) other appropriate entities.
(b) Topics
The education and awareness campaigns under subsection (a) shall address—
(1) the dangers of opioid misuse and abuse;
(2) the prevention of opioid misuse and abuse, including through non-addictive treatment options, safe disposal options for prescription medications, and other applicable safety precautions; and
(3) the detection of early warning signs of addiction.
(c) Other requirements
The education and awareness campaigns under subsection (a) shall, as appropriate—
(1) take into account any association between prescription opioid abuse and heroin use;
(2) emphasize—
(A) the similarities between heroin and prescription opioids; and
(B) the effects of heroin and prescription opioids on the human body; and
(3) bring greater public awareness to the dangerous effects of fentanyl when mixed with heroin or abused in a similar manner.
(Pub. L. 114–198, title I, § 102, July 22, 2016, 130 Stat. 698; Pub. L. 115–271, title VII, § 7161(b), Oct. 24, 2018, 132 Stat. 4061.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Codification
text: Section was enacted as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.
heading: Amendments
text: 2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–271, § 7161(b)(1), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the heads of other departments and agencies, shall, as appropriate, through existing programs and activities, advance the education and awareness of the public (including providers, patients, and consumers) and other appropriate entities regarding the risk of abuse of prescription opioids if such drugs are not taken as prescribed.”
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 115–271, § 7161(b)(2)(A), substituted “opioid misuse and abuse” for “opioid abuse”.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–271, § 7161(b)(2), substituted “opioid misuse and abuse” for “opioid abuse” and “non-addictive treatment options, safe disposal options for prescription medications, and other applicable” for “safe disposal of prescription medications and other”.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Information Materials and Resources To Prevent Addiction Related to Youth Sports Injuries
text: Pub. L. 114–198, title I, § 104, July 22, 2016, 130 Stat. 700, provided that:
“(a) Report.—
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the ‘Secretary’) shall, not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this section [July 22, 2016], make publicly available on the appropriate website of the Department of Health and Human Services a report determining the extent to which informational materials and resources described in subsection (c) are available to teenagers and adolescents who play youth sports, families of such teenagers and adolescents, nurses, youth sports groups, and relevant health care provider groups.
“(b) Development of Informational Materials and Resources.—
The Secretary may, for purposes of preventing substance use disorder in teenagers and adolescents who are injured playing youth sports and are subsequently prescribed an opioid, not later than 12 months after the report is made publicly available under subsection (a), and taking into consideration the findings of such report and in coordination with relevant health care provider groups, facilitate the development of informational materials and resources described in subsection (c) for teenagers and adolescents who play youth sports, families of such teenagers and adolescents, nurses, youth sports groups, and relevant health care provider groups.
“(c) Materials and Resources Described.—
For purposes of this section, the informational materials and resources described in this subsection are informational materials and resources with respect to youth sports injuries for which opioids are potentially prescribed, including materials and resources focused on the risks associated with opioid use and misuse, treatment options for such injuries that do not involve the use of opioids, and how to seek treatment for addiction.
“(d) No Additional Funds.—
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this section. This section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise available for such purpose.”