Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Chair, I thank the chairman and congratulate him on a great bill.

When the abuse of prescription medications silently took hold of rural towns in Appalachia over a decade ago, we knew we had to do something to curb the rising tide of addiction and overdose deaths.

We gathered individuals from all disciplines and backgrounds-- teachers, preachers, parents, judges, cops, doctors, pharmacists, community leaders, and others--to brainstorm as to what we could do to address the staggering problem.

We quickly realized there was no silver bullet that could easily solve the crisis, but we responded by creating a holistic, multidisciplinary organization called Operation UNITE: Unlawful Narcotics Investigations Treatment and Education.

Since 2003, UNITE's law enforcement agents have confiscated more than $12 million worth of these drugs and arrested over 4,300 bad actors. But we also established 30 drug courts so that the nonviolent offenders could get their lives back on track.

UNITE established a toll-free treatment referral helpline, receiving 1,200 calls a month. We have provided 4,000 free vouchers to individuals who otherwise would be unable to access treatment for their addiction.

UNITE also works hard to engage our young people through community coalitions of thousands of people as well as UNITE clubs in our schools. Over 100,000 students have taken part in antidrug education activities to warn about the dangers of prescription drugs.

Today it is difficult to imagine a single town in the country that has eluded the devastating grasp of opioid addiction. So UNITE took its model to the national stage.

Over the past 5 years, the National Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit in Atlanta has brought together thousands of our country's brightest, most dedicated minds.

At the Federal level, we should be replicating UNITE's holistic, multipronged approach. I am, therefore, proud to support this bill, which will enable communities around the country to unite to implement similar strategies, incorporating law enforcement, treatment, and education.

There is no silver bullet, Mr. Chairman, to bring an end to addiction, but together we can certainly save lives and restore hope in every community. I think this bill allows that to occur.

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