"Shift Focus to Treatment Over Criminalization for Addiction Recovery"

Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, advocates for shifting U.S. drug policy from criminalization to treatment-focused approaches, particularly for incarcerated individuals. She emphasizes the need for medication-assisted treatment to combat the opioid crisis and reduce recidivism, highlighting the public health and safety benefits. Volkow criticizes the current system for exacerbating inequalities and calls for proactive measures to address addiction and mental health needs.