(Concord, NH) Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, released the following statement on a policy change by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that will improve access to substance misuse treatment in rural areas. The DEA is announcing that nurse practitioners and physician assistants will be able to gain the authority to administer buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid dependency. 

"I am pleased that the DEA is enacting this important provision of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act," said Kuster. "We know that people struggling with substance use disorders in rural areas face unacceptable hurdles in access to treatment. As we work to expand access to treatment and recovery services throughout the Granite State, ensuring that nurse practitioners and physicians assistants are able to administer buprenorphine is critical. I'll continue to work across the aisle to combat the opioid epidemic by supporting prevention efforts, expanding access to treatment and recovery, and bolstering resources for law enforcement." 

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