H.R. 5844: Harm Reduction Through Community Engagement Act of 2025

The **Harm Reduction Through Community Engagement Act of 2025** aims to amend the Controlled Substances Act, focusing on improving the registration process for opioid treatment programs. The bill emphasizes increased community involvement and stakeholder input, ensuring that treatment programs are effectively serving the needs of patients within their local areas. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

Opioid Treatment Program Registration

The bill revises the requirements for practitioners who wish to register to provide maintenance or detoxification treatment for individuals addicted to opioids. Key changes include:

• Applicants must demonstrate awareness of community impacts related to their treatment programs.
• Treatment programs must not be located within a half-mile of schools, daycare centers, playgrounds, or other drug treatment facilities.
• Justification of patient need for treatment within the community is essential.
• Promoting the use of telehealth to reduce the need for in-person visits is encouraged.
• Applicants must appoint a community liaison to foster relationships with local authorities and organizations.
• Data must be collected and reported on treatment performance, including patient outcomes from telehealth services.

Community Impact Considerations

To qualify for registration, practitioners are required to:

• Engage in outreach initiatives to inform and involve community stakeholders about their treatment programs.
• Develop and execute a neighborhood engagement plan that outlines interactions with various local entities, including businesses and community organizations.
• Establish and maintain a community advisory board that represents diverse local perspectives.
• Create a community relations plan aimed at minimizing potential negative impacts of their treatment programs on the neighborhood, addressing issues like loitering and drug-related activities.

Reporting Requirements

The bill mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services submit annual reports to Congress. These reports must include:

• Data on treatment performance and patient engagement.
• Best practices for maintaining community involvement in treatment processes.
• Policy recommendations to enhance and sustain community engagement efforts.

Objective

The overarching goal of the bill is to create a more responsible framework for opioid treatment that takes into account the needs and concerns of surrounding communities while ensuring that individuals seeking treatment receive the necessary help in a supportive environment.

Relevant Companies

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