Op-Ed: Ben Carson: Making America Healthy Again means a new era in the fight against opioids

I have dedicated most of my adult life to the American health care system — first as a physician, then as a neurosurgeon, and ultimately as the chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. In that time, I have learned a fundamental truth: every patient’s experience of pain is unique. Yet, for far too long, we have relied on a one-size-fits-all approach to pain management: opioids. This dependence has come at an enormous cost, devastating families, overwhelming our healthcare system, and draining hundreds of billions of dollars from our economy.

While we have made significant progress in addressing this crisis, much work remains. Fortunately, the Trump administration has an opportunity to lead a new wave of reform by expanding access to non-opioid alternatives. With the right policies, leadership, and commitment, we can turn the tide and Make America Healthy Again.

The scale of the problem

Each year, approximately 80 million Americans experience acute pain severe enough to require prescription medication. Of these, 40 million are prescribed an opioid. Every filled prescription carries a risk — not just for the patient, but for their families, communities, and society at large. This crisis is keeping people out of work, destroying lives, and placing a massive financial strain on our nation.

The statistics are staggering. According to Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 100,000 people died from overdoses last year — most involving opioids. The economic impact is just as devastating. A recent White House study estimated that the opioid epidemic cost the U.S. $2.7 trillion in 2023 alone.

And the crisis is only worsening. The rise of fentanyl — a synthetic opioid largely originating in China and pouring into the U.S. across the southern border — has inflamed an already dire situation. Clearly, we cannot afford to continue down this path.

A turning point: non-opioid alternatives

There is hope. Just last month, the FDA approved, Journavx, a new non-opioid painkiller for acute pain. Unlike traditional opioids, this alternative can effectively manage pain without the risk of addiction, overdose, or debilitating side effects. It provides patients with a safer option for recovery, reducing reliance on other highly addictive medications. This milestone didn’t happen in isolation — it was made possible in part by the SUPPORT Act, a law championed by President Donald Trump and Congress in 2018.

The SUPPORT Act was one of the most comprehensive measures taken to address the opioid crisis. It expanded treatment options, cracked down on illegal opioid shipments, and invested in research for alternative pain treatments. But we must build on this foundation. The Trump administration and the Republican-led Congress should now take the next step by passing the Alternatives to PAIN Act.

The Alternatives to PAIN Act is a crucial legislative measure that will promote the use of non-opioid treatments, especially for our most vulnerable populations: seniors and veterans. Currently, nearly 12 million seniors receive prescriptions for opioids, and more than 1 million are being treated for opioid use disorder. This situation is unacceptable. These individuals often face the highest risks associated with opioid use while having the fewest options for alternative treatments. We must not let bureaucracy hinder our progress in addressing this important issue.

Beyond legislation, the private sector must step up as well. Health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and pharmacies need to work hand-in-hand to ensure that these new medications are both available and affordable. It is not enough to simply approve new treatments — we must make sure they reach the people who need them most.

A path forward

The opioid epidemic has been a crisis decades in the making. But with the right leadership, we can take decisive action to correct course. We have the tools, the knowledge, and the momentum to reduce our dependence on opioids and embrace safer, more effective alternatives.

By working together — through strong policy, responsible industry practices, and community engagement — we can continue our progress against this terrible epidemic. And in doing so, we take one more step toward making America not just great again, but healthy again.

Dr. Ben Carson is the Founder of the American Cornerstone Institute and the 17th U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.