Rep. Huffman Supports Action to Fight Opioid Addiction, Calls on Congressional Leadership to Provide Additional Resources

Press Release

Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) announced his support today for several bipartisan bills in the House this week to thwart the nation's growing opioid crisis, but called on Congressional leaders to go further and provide new resources to help individuals and families in the North Coast and across the country who are struggling with addiction.

California in particular has faced high levels of opioid prescription abuse. In just 2014 alone, there were 4,521 drug overdose-related deaths.

"Opioid addiction and abuse, including addiction to heroin and prescription pain medications, is escalating across our country--and that includes here on California's North Coast," said Rep. Huffman. "Too many lives have been lost, and too many families are suffering.

"It's important that Congress join the fight against this epidemic of opioid abuse, and give health professionals new tools to slow this disturbing trend. However, it would be irresponsible just to authorize new programs without providing the necessary funding. This is a public health crisis, and we have a responsibility to provide real resources so that people can get the treatment they need."

Representative Huffman will continue to advocate for policies to curtail opioid addiction and unintended abuse including:

· Proper education and information to anyone getting prescriptions about their addictive properties

· Systems that properly tracks and alerts suspicious prescription behavior

· Proper storage of pills in the home

· Decreasing the amount of opioids prescribed through thoughtful treatment plans, use of different types of medicines, and smaller quantities

· Creating easier methods for pharmacies, or doctors' offices, or other parties to safely take back pills

Earlier this year, Representative Huffman announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) had awarded more than $1.3 million to health centers in California's 2nd Congressional District to improve and expand substance abuse medical services.

Rep. Huffman advocated for H.R. 5189, a Democratic Substitute Opioids Package, which would provide critical funding for the Bipartisan Opioids Package being assembled from the opioids bills on the Floor this week, as well as making certain key improvements and additions to the package. Unfortunately, the legislation was shot down by House Republicans.

Source