Trump Budget Cut Threatens Non-Addictive Opioid Research

The new Trump budget cut of an estimated $6 billion to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that was proposed recently could have disastrous results for Scripps Florida and their non-addictive opioid drug research project.

Trump Budget Cut

Scripps Research Institute is working on their campus in Jupiter, Florida and have stated that they are actually making progress in the creation of a non-addictive opioid.

“This will cripple Scripps research, a cut like this. It could literally result in the loss of our institute in the state of Florida. And I don’t think that’s an exaggeration,” said Brock Grill to the Palm Beach Post, an associate professor in Scripps’ Department of Neuroscience.

The opioid crisis

Bill Nelson, Florida Democratic Sen. expressed his concerns at a news conference he put together, explaining that the proposed Trump budget cut is “counterproductive” in combating the opioid crisis this state and nation face.

In addition, Nelson reached out to Tom Price, secretary of Health and Human Services, asking him to take into consideration providing addiction treatment for those in poverty suffering from opioid dependence through the expansion of Medicaid services.

“If Florida expanded its Medicaid program, would it be able to increase access to treatment for those with opioid use disorder? And would expanding Medicaid help the state avoid the rising costs associated with the opioid crisis and mental health needs?” Nelson explained.

Florida House’s

This comes after Republican Gov. Rick Scott supported the Florida House’s decision to reject the expansion of Medicaid under President Barack Obama in 2015. Nelson is urging Scripps scientists and their professors to fight against these new cuts. Making sure that they understand the devastating affects this could have. Research has the potential to curb the opioid epidemic killing our country.

An estimated 590 people died from opioid overdose deaths in 2016 here in Palm Beach County alone. This is no longer a problem we can just ignore. We need help combating this crisis in all areas of healthcare, including the research and development of non-addictive painkillers.

As of now, Nelson states that he plans to fight these cuts and bring his concerns to the Senate floor.

“It’s a $6 billion cut, which is just inexplicable when in fact you ought to be doing exactly the opposite,”

he said.

Recovering From Opioid Dependence

Opioid addiction is not just hurting Palm Beach County – it is hurting our nation. And when we, as a community, are finally speaking up, reaching out, and asking officials to help us fight this battle that affects all of us. It is time we stop shaming addicts and we start treating this like the health issue that it is.

We also want to let others know that even though this is an extremely deadly disease. It is treatable and can be placed in remission life-long if you are willing and ready to recover. When you want to learn how you can stop and stay off drugs for the rest of your life. Contact The Watershed now.

Our addiction crisis helpline is open 24/7, call now at 1-800-861-1768.