Republican legislative leaders voiced bipartisan support on Tuesday for efforts to combat the nation’s drug epidemic after President Barack Obama addressed the National Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit.
Obama said that the epidemic required a bipartisan approach that goes beyond criminalization and incarceration of offenders
“And I’m very optimistic that we can solve it,” Obama said. “We’re seeing action in Congress that has moved the ball forward. My administration, without congressional action, has taken a number of steps. And I know that you’ve heard from some of our administration here today about, for example, providing $100 million to community health centers so that people have more access to treatment.”
U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) said that drug abuse and addiction was “wreaking havoc” on communities and required action, including training for medical students about prescription drug abuse and funding for states to purchase the overdose antidote Naloxone.
“Several of the steps announced (on Tuesday) mirror actions I have fought for in the Senate, like co-prescribing Naloxone, support for community health centers and expanding the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas heroin initiative,” Capito said. “Combating this epidemic will require a spectrum of solutions, and I am ready to work with anyone who shares the common goal of saving lives and creating a drug-free West Virginia.”
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) said the administration’s approach to the nation’s drug epidemic has aligned with many provisions of legislation that he has cosponsored in the House of Representatives.
“I’m pleased that the president has weighed in on this crisis, which has affected far too many families in Florida,” Buchanan said. “I’ve championed a comprehensive approach to combating heroin and opioid addiction — one that attacks the supply of drugs, prevents new victims through better education and helps those already addicted recover and lead productive lives. Many of the administration’s proposals follow the lead of the bills I’m backing, so I am hopeful that Congress and the White House can find common ground.”
U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, added that no community has been immune to the drug epidemic and that the response must be “an all hands on deck effort.”
“I appreciate the administration’s recent steps, and look forward to reviewing these new proposals,” Upton said. “We’ve held a number of hearings with testimony from many experts on the front lines, and have advanced bipartisan solutions to protect infants and promote state prescription drug monitoring programs. In the coming weeks the committee will continue our bipartisan efforts to achieve meaningful solutions. Working together, we will take important strides to help those suffering in our communities.”
U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME), in a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), called for support of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), S. 524, introduced by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH).
“It is now time for the House to act so that we can pass this crucial legislation and send it to the president’s desk for signature,” Poliquin wrote. “Doing so will boost the efforts of our Maine families to better help their addicted loved ones with the treatment and long-term recovery to live drug-free and healthy lives.”