Weekly Column: Efforts To Curb Veteran Overdoses

Although Congress has made substantial progress in addressing substance use disorder in the U.S., this crisis continues to have devastating impacts on our nation’s veterans. In 2023, 2.8 million veterans--or 14 percent of all U.S. veterans--reported having at least one substance use disorder the prior year. In February, I joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) in introducing new bipartisan legislation, advancing in Congress, to help battle the ongoing substance use disorder crisis among our nation’s veterans by removing barriers to life-saving overdose reversal agents.

Currently, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pharmacies provide naloxone to veterans at no-cost, but they must first ask a provider for a prescription. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains, “Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids—including fentanyl, heroin, and prescription opioid medications—when given in time.” American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, MD, wrote, “Because opioids (particularly IMF [illicitly made fentanyl]) are responsible for the majority of fatal drug overdoses in the U.S., the widespread availability of opioid reversal agents, particularly naloxone, in the community has helped reduce deaths.”

The End Veterans Overdose Act, as amended, would create a one-year pilot program that would make naloxone and other relevant overdose reversal agents available to all veterans without a prescription at VA pharmacies. The legislation is endorsed by the American Legion. In March, the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee voted unanimously to advance the End Veterans Overdose Act out of the Committee, and it now awaits consideration by the full U.S. Senate.

This bill would build on existing efforts by the VA to address the opioid crisis, in addition to augmenting the great work of Idahoans at the local level to reach veterans in crisis. I was reminded about this remarkable assistance again in November when honoring some Idaho veterans and volunteers for their outstanding service to our country and its veterans with the 2025 Spirit of Freedom: Idaho Veterans Service Award. The awardees included a patrol deputy who uses his experience as a veteran to connect with veterans in crisis and connect them with resources. He prioritizes his fellow veterans and engages within the community while on and off duty.

Likewise, another veteran who received the award gives generously of her Saturdays to some of the most vulnerable veterans, as she assists in inpatient psychiatric care. She relates to them and demonstrates there is life beyond mental and general health struggles.

They are great examples of the heartwarming efforts of Idahoans to connect with and help others at a time when the veterans community has faced high rates of suicide. I look forward to enactment of the End Veterans Overdose Act that can help save lives by making overdose reversal agents more accessible to veterans. Our obligation to veterans does not end when their service does. Expanding direct access to naloxone at VA pharmacies recognizes the unique risks veterans face and ensures life-saving medication is available when it matters most.

# # #