WASHINGTON — As Connecticut and the nation continue to be ravaged by the growing opioid and heroin addiction epidemic, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn) today encouraged the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to ask its member stations to air public service announcements to help eliminate the harmful stigma surrounding addiction. In a letter to NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith, Murphy highlighted that NAB members are in a unique position to help reframe the way people view those struggling with addiction and can jumpstart a national conversation about ways to combat the crisis. 

“As you know, opioid addiction is raging in the United States, reaching epidemic proportions,” said Murphy. “We must break down the harmful stigma that is associated with people facing addiction, and I believe broadcasters are uniquely situated to help in that effort. I would urge you to encourage your member stations to air public service announcements to raise awareness of this epidemic and frame addiction as a disease.”

Murphy continued, “Too many individuals assume that addiction is the result of some failure of moral standards and good judgment. In fact, the opposite is true. It is estimated that genetic factors account for between 40 and 60 percent of a person’s vulnerability to addiction. Getting this message out could help reframe people’s view of those struggling with addiction and…I believe broadcasters can play an important role in stemming this insidious epidemic.”

Murphy – a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee – has called on Congress to pass his bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act, which will expand federal resources and improve coordination for mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. Murphy is also a cosponsor of the TREAT Act to expand access to medication-assisted treatment, and has urged the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that those seeking treatment for addiction have greater access to medication-assisted treatment. Most recently, Murphy spent a “Day in the Life” meeting with patients, health professionals, law enforcement, and advocates around Connecticut to learn firsthand how he can improve federal efforts to combat Connecticut’s addiction crisis and save lives.

In Connecticut, deaths caused by drug overdoses have skyrocketed. In 2015, 729 Connecticut residents died from drug overdoses, including 415 heroin-related deaths. 

The full text of the letter is available online and below: 

The Honorable Gordon Smith
President and CEO
National Association of Broadcasters
1771 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036

Dear Senator Smith:

As you know, opioid addiction is raging in the United States, reaching epidemic proportions. This crisis knows no cultural, racial, or economic boundaries. The Obama administration, Congress, state governments and local communities have all looked to implement a myriad of solutions – including increasing treatment capacity, reducing the overprescribing of opioids and supply of heroin on our streets. We must also break down the harmful stigma that is associated with people facing addition and I believe broadcasters are uniquely situated to help in that effort. As a result, I would urge you to encourage your member stations to air public service announcements to raise awareness of this epidemic and frame addiction as a disease.

Too many individuals assume that addiction is the result of some failure of moral standards and good judgment – that the individual has chosen to take prescription medication or even heroin rather than just stay away from drugs. In fact, the opposite is true. It is estimated that genetic factors account for between 40 and 60 percent of a person’s vulnerability to addiction. Said another way, addiction is the result of chemistry, not character. Getting this message out could help reframe people’s view of those struggling with addiction and jumpstart a national conversation around stigma.

I understand that there are competing demands on our nation’s broadcasters but I believe broadcasters can play an important role in stemming this insidious epidemic. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Christopher S. Murphy