Resources

In recent years, the AMA adopted new policy that emphasizes public health harms associated with kratom and other potentially toxic substances and is calling for regulatory review and approval before products containing kratom are allowed to be marketed, purchased or prescribed to the general public.

The AMA and the Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) urge PHPs, state medical boards, hospital and health systems, and employers to help end stigma and discrimination against physicians and medical students with SUDs.

This issue brief provides an update on the polysubstance use epidemic and specific state legislative and regulatory options available for medical society advocacy.

This issue brief explains how to leverage the Mental Health Parity Index in state-level advocacy efforts. 

This American Medical Association (AMA) model bill addresses the fact that cannabis is a potentially dangerous drug and as such is a serious public health concern. AMA policy provides that the sale of cannabis for adult use should not be legalized for use of anyone under the age of 21.

This AMA issue brief provides information on medetomidine, an emerging substance of misuse. The issue brief highlights medetomidine's distinguishing features, identifies relevant CDC resources, and discusses state and federal efforts to regulate.

This resources provides specific policy actions to increase access to treatment for substance use disorders, remove barriers to evidence-based pain care, and enhance state overdose prevention and treatment efforts.

The AMA recommends for physicians to prescribe (and dispense if available) naloxone to anyone at risk of overdose; for public officials to make naloxone available in public places, such as schools and other educational settings, libraries and concert venues; for health insurance companies to ensure naloxone is not subject to co-pays or cost-sharing; and for pharmacies to make naloxone visible in front of the cash register and pharmacy counter.

This AMA resource discusses trends relating to illicitly made fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and other emerging toxic agents including xylazine, intoxicating hemp, kratom, tianeptine and medetomidine. Cannabis use also is a high concern with increasing data and research highlighting public health and patient harms.