WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) joined President Donald J. Trump at the White House, along with families who have lost loved ones from addiction, as he signed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, landmark legislation that continues critical programs to combat drug addiction and expand treatment options.
“Thanks to President Trump and Republicans, we are delivering real solutions to help combat the opioid and fentanyl crisis here in America,” said Congresswoman Harshbarger. “This law will continue to provide prevention, treatment, and long-term recovery options for those struggling with addiction. I’m proud to stand with President Trump in delivering this critical support for Tennessee’s First District and communities across the country.”
BACKGROUND:
The bill builds upon the original 2018 SUPPORT Act—also signed into law by President Trump—which marked one of the most significant federal responses to the opioid epidemic in U.S. history. The 2025 reauthorization strengthens and expands those efforts, ensuring families and communities continue receiving the tools they need to prevent addiction and support recovery.
According to preliminary CDC data, opioid-related overdose deaths dropped sharply—from an estimated 83,140 deaths in 2023 to 54,743 in 2024. This progress reflects years of targeted Republican leadership—and that passing the SUPPORT Act reauthorization was essential to sustaining that momentum.
The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 will:
- Ensure first responders maintain access to lifesaving Naloxone
- Expand treatment options for pregnant and postpartum women
- Strengthen state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs)
- Encourage workforce participation for individuals in recovery
- Continue support for Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers, which provide a full spectrum of treatment and recovery services.
Additionally, more than 60 national advocacy organizations supported the original SUPPORT Act, recognizing its power to expand treatment and recovery models that work. The 2025 reauthorization builds on that success by securing vital programs that protect addiction treatment professionals, strengthen the recovery workforce, and expand community-based health services.