Washington, D.C. (June 18, 2025) —The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), a trusted voice in substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery for over 80 years, has submitted a formal response to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) regarding the upcoming 2026 National Drug Control Strategy.
In a letter addressed to Jon E. Rice, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director at ONDCP, NCADD expresses appreciation for the agency’s inclusive approach and outlines key recommendations across the six core policy priorities identified by ONDCP.
Key Points from NCADD’s Response:
1) Reducing Overdose Fatalities – With a Focus on Fentanyl
NCADD applauds the recent 27% decrease in overdose deaths—from 110,037 in 2023 to 80,391 in 2024—attributing much of this progress to naloxone accessibility. Recommendations include:
- Expanded OTC and free naloxone distribution
- Updated formulations for reversing fentanyl overdoses
- Increased public and first responder training
- Integration of overdose reversal with long-term care and recovery support
2) Preventing Drug Use Before It Starts
NCADD urges expanded investment in community-rooted prevention strategies including:
- Life skills and mentorship programs
- Trauma-informed practices
- Data-driven models that adapt to social determinants of health
3) Providing Treatment that Leads to Long-Term Recovery
The organization emphasizes the need for:
- Low-barrier access to evidence-based treatment including MOUD
- Cultural responsiveness and parity in behavioral healthcare
- Federal support to grow the behavioral health workforce
4) Advancing Research and Data
NCADD supports enhanced real-time data infrastructure and interoperability across sectors to improve responsiveness and accountability in drug control strategies.
5) Securing Global Supply Chains and Curtailing Drug Flow
While acknowledging the need for supply-side interventions, NCADD warns against over-criminalization and urges a demand-reduction approach focused on health, dignity, and opportunity.
6) Cross-Sector Coordination
The letter encourages ONDCP to institutionalize community-based organization involvement in both strategy development and implementation. Regional strategies must reflect local needs and leverage grassroots expertise.
Leadership Statement:
“We are encouraged by the ONDCP’s public health orientation and openness to diverse voices,” said Denise L. Kolivoski, MBA, NCADD Executive Director. “Lasting solutions require systemic coordination across healthcare, housing, justice, and recovery ecosystems.”