Noah Chelednik
Leidos announced on Monday a new partnership with the Milken Institute Center for Public Health in an effort to combat opioid addiction. Leidos and Milken intend to mobilize employers in all industries to address the opioid and concurrent mental health crises.
"COVID-19 has turned the growing crisis of opioid addiction into a full scale emergency – one affecting millions of Americans and their families," said Roger Krone, chairman and CEO of Leidos and a Wash100 Award recipient.
"Addressing this issue is a core part of our community outreach efforts and reaffirms why we started the CEO Pledge three years ago. Through this new partnership with the Milken Institute's Center for Public Health we can devote new resources and solutions to not just the opioid epidemic, but the broader range of mental health issues affecting our society. I'm grateful to the Milken Institute for joining this cause and helping us fight this growing epidemic," added Krone.
Leidos first took a strong stance against the opioid epidemic three years ago. Since then, over 100 organizations have joined the company in committing time, talent and resources to help end the opioid addiction crisis in their workforces and communities. The company works closely with community organizations and professional sports teams to promote education and prevention initiatives, including dealing with addiction stigma.
The Leidos-Milken partnership aims to build collaboration between leaders in the private, government, academic and non-profit sectors to address these pressing health challenges. The partnership's ultimate goal is to create solutions to counter addiction and broader mental health topics, including anxiety, depression, and suicide.
"The ongoing pandemic is shining a light on the need to prioritize mental health and the disease of addiction. Together with the CEO Pledge Collaborative, we will enable employers of all sizes across the country to use the platforms, tools and evidence-based approaches needed to address these issues in ways that work best for their employees and their communities," said Sabrina Spitaletta, senior director of the Milken Institute Center for Public Health.
