Addiction Tax and Kids with Substance Use Disorder

LifeBOAT Act

About 11% of our federal budget goes towards funding addiction and substance abuse. The majority of this money goes towards prisons/jails/parole. Specifically, $0.85 per $1.00 is spent on consequences of addiction. Only $0.02 per $1.00 is spent on prevention and/or treatment. 

A new federal bill, called the LifeBOAT act, would impose a small tax of $0.01 per active milligram on any prescription opiate medication and that money would go, in turn, towards recovery support services and treatment for substance use disorder. LifeBOAT stands for Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment. It is believed that between 1.5 and 2 billion dollars would be generated per year should this bill be passed into law. 

Honesty Liller's Letter to the Editor 

(Richmond Times-Dispatch; May 31, 2016)

Many problem kids have addiction issues

Editor, Times-Dispatch: The news article “Number of school suspensions seen as a problem in Richmond area and statewide” is sad news. As a parent, I want the best for my kids, which includes an education.

There needs to be more access to services for children and their families. There are recovery schools all over America now that are helping youth with their education as well as with substance use disorders. I see children every day who have been expelled or suspended because of their addiction and the actions they took while under the influence. Many of these students are now in recovery and are doing amazingly well. Four of them are going to graduate this year.

Why not meet children where they are and ask them if they need help with drugs or alcohol? And then get them help. This could prevent lots of suspensions and expulsions.

Honesty Liller.

Richmond.