Developing Treatments for the Front Lines: How ASPR Is Advancing the Next Generation of Overdose Treatments

During my 34 years of experience in emergency response, I've seen firsthand the devastation that illegal opioids leave behind—on minds, on bodies, and on entire communities. Today, that devastation continues to spread, and it's claiming lives at an alarming rate.

In 2024 alone, more than 54,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses. That's not just a statistic—it's the equivalent of losing the entire population of a city like Harrisonburg, Virginia, or Saratoga Springs, New York. It's the size of a major university campus. And behind every number is a name, a family, a future cut short.

This crisis has taken children from classrooms, parents from dinner tables, and neighbors from our communities. It has shaken our nation's sense of security. Today, HHS Secretary Kennedy's renewal of the public health emergency for the opioid crisis went into effect. In addition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has declared synthetic opioids and certain drug adulterants to be material threat—a clear signal that this is not just a public health emergency, but also a national security issue.

In our response, we're not just fighting the opioid public health emergency, we're fighting for the soul of our country, for the dignity of our people, and for the promise of a healthier tomorrow. We're supporting efforts through public-private partnerships that bring together the best of American science, ingenuity, and compassion.

At ASPR, we believe all lives are worth saving, and that no first responder should ever have to stand by helplessly because they lack the tools to intervene. That's why we're taking bold action.

Current FDA-approved treatments have saved countless people but do fail in cases where opioids are mixed with other illicit drugs. Through efforts within the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), ASPR has partnered with Orexo US, Inc. to develop a new rescue nasal powder designed to treat overdoses involving drugs like xylazine and medetomidine illicitly mixed with fentanyl.

If successful, Orexo's new drug could give first responders a powerful new tool to save lives in situations where current treatments fall short. This is the kind of innovation that turns moments of crisis into moments of hope.

At ASPR, we are committed to Secretary Kennedy's goal to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA). That means treating drug overdose with urgency, science, and humanity. It means giving first responders the tools they need to save lives. It means never giving up on the often forgotten people and communities who've been hit hardest by this crisis.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, please don't wait. Help is available. Visit FindTreatment.gov to locate treatment options near you.

Together, we can build a future where no family has to lose a loved one to overdose—and where every American has a second chance at life.