SAFE Takes reflects our analysis and assessment of the progress made in each of the recommendations made by the President’s Commission (Commission) on Combatting Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis (November 2017) and the National Governors Association’s (NGA) Recommendations for Federal Action to End the Nation’s Opioid Crisis (January 2018). The following SAFE Takes focuses on government action pertaining to public awareness and family outreach and support.
Legend
| RECOMMENDATIONS | SAFE TAKE |
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NGA: The Administration should develop an evidence-based national campaign to promote prevention and reduce stigma. Commission #5: The Administration should fund and collaborate with private sector and non-profit partners to design a wide reaching, national multi-platform campaign addressing the hazards of substance use, the danger of opioids, and stigma.
 Completed |
While this goal has been achieved, PSAs and Awareness Campaigns have mixed results. To be successful, they require having the resources to provide recovery, treatment, and support options for those with substance use disorders.
Communities do not have to wait for a national campaign that suits them – they can create their own campaigns! In fact, awareness campaigns that are more targeted can be very successful. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS | SAFE TAKE |
| Commission #49: The Office of National Drug Control Policy, federal partners, including the Department of Labor, large employers, employee assistance programs, and recovery support organizations should develop best practices on substance use disorders and the workplace.
Completed
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While this goal has been achieved, PSAs and Awareness Campaigns have mixed results. To be successful, they require having the resources to provide recovery, treatment, and support options for those with substance use disorders.
Communities do not have to wait for a national campaign that suits them – they can create their own campaigns! In fact, awareness campaigns that are more targeted can be very successful. |
| RECOMMENDATIONS | SAFE TAKE |
| Commission #50: The Office of National Drug Control Policy should work with the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and other stakeholders to develop model state legislation/regulation for states to decouple felony convictions and eligibility for business/occupational licenses, where appropriate.
 Some Progress
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The Trump Administration supports The First Step Act, intended to make our justice system more fair and assist former inmates when transitioning back into society. In December 2019, Congress passed the Fair Chance Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 (S.1790), which prohibits federal government employers, and private-sector federal contractors, from asking about job applicants’ criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been extended. The Restoration of Rights Project provides a 50 State Comparison detailing Criminal Record in Employment & Licensing laws. However, based on data from April 2018, 35 states, D.C., and over 150 cities and counties have adopted a fair-chance policy. |