U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) has introduced the bipartisan Substance Abuse Prevention Act of 2018 to proactively thwart the nation’s opioid epidemic.
“The opioid crisis represents one of the most devastating yet complex challenges of our day, and it demands a holistic response,” Rep. Collins said.
The congressman’s proposal, introduced on May 23, is the U.S. House of Representatives version of the same-named S. 2789, which U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced in the U.S. Senate on April 26. The House bill is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL).
“I’m thankful for Congressman Deutch’s leadership on this front and for the initiative of Senator Cornyn in introducing this bill on the other side of the Capitol,” said Rep. Collins.
In an overview of the bill provided by Rep. Collins’ office, as well as draft text for S. 2789 in the congressional record, the measure would reauthorize several major government offices in a concerted effort “to prevent substance abuse and reduce the demand for illicit narcotics.” These include:
- The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) at the White House, which oversees all Executive Branch efforts on narcotics control, including the development of a national drug control strategy.
- The Drug-Free Communities Program, one of the country’s main youth prevention programs regarding illicit narcotics.
- The ONDCP High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program, which funds federal, state and local law enforcement task forces operating in America’s most-critical drug trafficking regions. The bill also proposes targeted funds be put toward a coordinated drug overdose response strategy.
- Funding for drug courts under the U.S. Department of Justice, which provide targeted interventions for individuals with drug addiction and substance abuse disorders. The bill also would allow nonprofits to provide training and technical assistance to drug courts.
“I’ve seen drug courts in Georgia help people break free from addiction and lessen the strain on the justice system,” said Rep. Collins. ”Through investments like this, the Substance Abuse Prevention Act would help communities better support victims of opioid abuse and enable law enforcement to fight the scourge of opioids in our neighborhoods.”
Likewise, Rep. Deutch said Broward County’s drug courts in Florida have helped thousands of people tackle their mental health and addiction challenges by “offering a helping hand rather than just a lock and key.” He added, “With 15 Floridians dying per day from overdose, we must act now.”
Among myriad other provisions, the proposal would improve collaboration and provide resources to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help families stay together while battling substance abuse; and would require the U.S. Attorney General and HHS Secretary to devise a best practices plan that educates and trains medical practitioners on prescribing controlled substances.
The lawmakers said support for the bill already has come in from numerous organizations, including the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the Addiction Policy Forum, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Association for Children of Addiction, the National Association of Police Organizations, the National Council for Behavioral Health, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, and the National Criminal Justice Association.
The Senate bill has six cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). S. 2789 is under consideration by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.