The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) is excited to announce that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has funded Providers Clinical Support System-Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). PCSS-MOUD is led by AAAP with a coalition of over 20 national professional healthcare organizations. The three-year grant begins Sept. 30, 2023.

Increased overdoses, many attributed to an influx of synthetic fentanyl, has put a spotlight on those who care for patients with opioid use disorders. Hundreds of prescribers are being targeted in an elaborate scam by imposters posing as DEA agents in an attempt to extort money. Over a series of phone calls, the imposters put their marks at ease, seeming to be on their side. By the time the imposters ask for money, many are willing to pay—just to make the issue go away. Scammers use the names of real DEA agents and alter their voices with artificial intelligence to make them sound as if they have regional accents that are convincing. The scammers are set up overseas.

As Congressionally-mandated, medical practitioners have a new role to help patients fighting to sustain recovery and prevent opioid overdoses. All medical registrants submitting a new or renewing a current registration must attest to completing an eight-hour training to treat patients overcoming opioid and other substance use disorders.