Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • About HHS
  • Programs & Services
  • Grants & Contracts
  • Laws & Regulations
  • Radical Transparency
  • Big Wins
  • Information for Individuals
  • Filing a Complaint
  • Information for Providers
  • Newsroom
Breadcrumb
  1. HHS
  2. Civil Rights Home
  3. For Individuals
  4. Special Topics in Civil Rights
  5. Opioids and Civil Rights
  • Civil Rights for Individuals and Advocates
    • Race, Color, National Origin
    • Disability
      • Section 504
    • Age Discrimination
    • Sex Discrimination & Harassment
    • Title IX
    • Section 1557
      • Civil Rights FAQs
      • Fact Sheets
    • Hill-Burton
    • Section 1553
    • Special Topics
      • Child Welfare
      • Community Living and Olmstead
      • Effective Communication in Hospitals
      • Emergency Preparedness and Response
      • Health Disparities
      • HIV/AIDS
      • National Origin Discrimination
      • Opioids and Civil Rights
      • Reproductive Health Care
      • Sex-Based Harassment
      • Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics Discrimination
      • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
    • HHS Nondiscrimination Notice

Opioids and Civil Rights

Learn about how federal nondiscrimination laws apply to opioid use disorder treatment and recovery services. The videos below cover topics that include:

  • the application of federal disability rights laws to child welfare programs and activities
  • protections that apply to some individuals in recovery from an opioid use disorder
  • an overview of medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
  • common misconceptions about MAT as a treatment approach

These resources are intended for individuals and personnel in the child welfare system (e.g. child welfare caseworkers, social workers, service providers, parent’s attorneys, agency attorneys, children’s attorneys, advocates, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), judges and judicial officers, Court Improvement Program personnel, Family Treatment Court personnel, substance use disorder treatment providers and more). 

Part 1: Civil Rights Protections for Individuals with a Disability: The Basics

This video provides foundational information on the application of federal disability rights laws to child welfare programs and activities.

Part 2: Civil Rights Protections for Individuals with an Opioid Use Disorder

This video explores federal disability rights protections that apply to some individuals in recovery from an opioid use disorder.

Medication-Assisted Treatment and Common Misconceptions

This video provides an overview of MAT and addresses common misconceptions surrounding this treatment approach as they pertain to child welfare practice.

Child Welfare Case Staffing: Social Worker and Supervisor

This video depicts discussions around misconceptions individuals may have about MAT.

Child Welfare Case Staffing: Child Welfare Court Case

This video depicts discussions about how federal disability rights laws protect some individuals in recovery from opioid use disorder.

Content created by Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Content last reviewed May 27, 2025
Back to top

Subscribe to Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary and Press Releases.

Subscribe
  • Contact HHS
  • Careers
  • HHS FAQs
  • Nondiscrimination Notice
  • Press Room
  • HHS Archive
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Budget/Performance
  • Inspector General
  • Web Site Disclaimers
  • EEO/No Fear Act
  • FOIA
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
  • Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
HHS Logo

HHS Headquarters

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​

Follow HHS

Follow Secretary Kennedy