Statement of Alice Dembner, program director for Substance Use Disorders at Community Catalyst

BOSTON — “Community Catalyst applauds the first-ever Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health, which calls for a public health approach to problems that are ravaging our communities. The report clearly lays out the strong scientific and economic cases for taking action now to improve the health of millions of Americans and to advance health and social justice.

“The report underscores the need for comprehensive affordable health insurance that covers prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery services. It makes clear that incarceration of people who use drugs is not a solution. And it sounds the call for leaders from all segments of society to come together to address the many causes and consequences of substance use disorders.

“Community Catalyst is proud to be leading initiatives that align with the Surgeon General’s report, helping the most vulnerable people in our society access the services and supports they need to live healthier lives and shaping a consumer-centered health system that integrates care for all types of illnesses with critical social services.”

###

About Community Catalyst
Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable, quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Read our blog at http://blog.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.