Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Chairman, like many States across the country, heroin and opioid addiction is shattering people's lives in my State of Michigan as well.

To the families that are suffering, we are here to offer solutions, to provide hope, and help them recover and get back on their feet.

There are many community-based programs and groups in my district working on the front lines to raise awareness and combat this public health crisis; groups like the Monroe County Substance Abuse Coalition, the Eaton County Substance Abuse Advisory Council, Andy's Angels in Jackson, and many more.

In Lenawee County, my home county, community stakeholders recently came together to hold an addiction summit, and a recovering addict from Monroe County recently organized a march to show there is hope after heroin. Their work on the local level is absolutely critical.

Here at the Federal level, we must work side-by-side with our State and local partners to stop the damaging trends of addiction in its tracks.

The bipartisan legislation we are considering today establishes a comprehensive opioid abuse reduction program, and gives State and localities the flexibility to tailor prevention and treatment efforts to the specific needs of their communities.

I want to thank my colleague, Representative Sensenbrenner, for his leadership on the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act, and I encourage its passage so we can help rebuild and save lives in our communities.

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