Fedorchak helps advance bill to combat substance use disorders, help save lives

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) voted in favor of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, which passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 366-57. This legislation reauthorizes programs aimed at preventing, treating, and supporting recovery from opioid and other substance use disorders.  

“Every North Dakotan knows someone whose life has been touched by addiction. The SUPPORT Act builds on successful, commonsense policies from the first Trump administration to expand treatment, support recovery, and save lives,” Fedorchak said. “By investing in what works—prevention, education, and enforcement—we can help families heal and stop drug-related deaths in our communities.” 

This legislation, among other things, will secure access to naloxone for first responders, bolster state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), increase treatment options for pregnant and postpartum women, motivate recovering individuals to enter the workforce, and continue resources for Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers. The SUPPORT Act was originally signed into law by President Trump in 2018 to combat the opioid epidemic. Opioid overdose deaths declined from an estimated 83,140 in 2023 to 54,743 in 2024, per provisional data from CDC.  

Led by Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), the SUPPORT Act has received widespread support from more than 160 substance use disorder treatment and recovery organizations, including some in North Dakota. 

The North Dakota Medical Association supports efforts to provide treatment for substance and opioid use disorders. “H.R. 2483 reauthorizes a crucial evidence-based program that is on track to curb the overdose epidemic by reducing deaths,” said NDMA President Dr. Stephanie Dahl. “The program saves lives, and Rep. Fedorchak's support is appreciated.” 

“The North Dakota Board of Pharmacy is appreciative of the provision in the SUPPORT Act Reauthorization, specifically Section 105, which will address a real concern for the State’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). These changes will prevent the HHS secretary from forcing the state into selecting a vendor or interoperability connection that would not be in the best interest of the PDMP or our citizens” said Mark J Hardy, Executive Director of the North Dakota Board of Pharmacy. “We are appreciative to Representative Fedorchak on her advocacy and support on this Act.” 

"This is truly an exciting moment for the North Dakota FASD Community. While our work is far from finished, we just moved one step closer to the goal line,” said Carl Young, Executive Director of Family Services Network Inc. “According to the CDC, up to 1 in 20 American children have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). That amounts to a child in nearly every single classroom in North Dakota, given our State's average classroom size of 19.2 students in high school. Most of these children are undiagnosed and struggle with challenges that are often mistaken for behavioral issues rather than recognized as symptoms of a neurodevelopmental disorder. We have an urgent need for increased awareness, diagnosis, and support in our schools and communities. The FASD-related provisions in the SUPPORT Act Reauthorization will have a lasting positive impact on families in North Dakota and across the country.” 

Advocates for Opioid Addiction Treatment (AOAT) wrote in support, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a nearly 24% decline in drug overdose deaths from September 2023 through September 2024. The number of overdose deaths during this 12-month period was the lowest since June 2020. Without question, the bipartisan SUPPORT Act of 2018, which expanded access to treatment and began addressing treatment workforce shortages played a critical role in reversing the tragic and deadly overdose trend and saving lives.” 

CLICK HERE to learn more about the SUPPORT Act.