Press Republican - Stefanik Supports Legislation to Deal with Heroin Epidemic

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By: Joe LoTemplio

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is hoping recently approved legislation will make a significant dent in the local, regional and national heroin epidemic.

"This problem is not unique to Northern New York," she told the Press-Republican.

"Heroin addiction knows no bounds to social or economic backgrounds."

'GRAVE EFFECTS'

Stefanik voted to support legislation that will attack heroin abuse on four levels: prevention, treatment, recovery and law enforcement.

The bill, according to a release from Stefanik, would provide an expansive framework for tackling the crisis, including expanded prevention and education efforts to prevent abuse, increased resources for law enforcement and first responders and additional resources for drug courts, veterans treatment courts and other non-prison diversion programs.

"Heroin abuse touches our communities, our homes and our families in ways that have grave effects on everyday people and everyday lives," Stefanik said in her release.

"These efforts are not the end of the House's work on this issue. We will continue to seek innovative solutions to this crisis that has touched families across my district and across our nation."

PAINFUL STORIES

Stefanik said the impact of heroin that she has seen in the 21st District, which covers 12 counties, has been devastating.

She has heard stories from families who have lost loved ones to drug overdoses, including some high-school students.

"Those stories stay with you and were an important factor in drafting this legislation," she said.

More than 46,000 people die of drug overdoses each year, Stefanik said, which is more than the the toll from automobile accidents.

"We need to turn the tide and lower than number significantly," she said.

PRESCRIPTION PROBLEMS

One of the root problems, Stefanik said, is that people get hooked on painkiller medications, which leads to heroin addiction.

The number of Americans addicted to heroin is nearly three times higher than a decade ago, she said.

Her release noted that in 2013, more than 40,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, nearly 2 million were addicted to opioid-based prescription painkillers and over 500,000 were addicted to heroin.

"We need to address the process of prescribing pain meds," Stefanik said.

AFGHANI POPPIES

A member of the House Armed Services Committee, Stefanik said work is also being done to address the flow of opioids from poppy fields in Afghanistan that supply the drug trade in this country.

"President (Mohammad Ashraf) Ghani has committed to try to stem the trafficking, and we are in a better place now, but it will take long term," she said.

The new bill will give states and localities flexibility to attack opioid-abuse issues unique to their communities, Stefanik said

It establishes a grant program that encompasses new and existing programs, such as training and resources for first responders and law enforcement, criminal investigations for the unlawful distribution of opioids, drug courts and residential substance-abuse treatment.

GRANT FUNDING

It will appropriate $103 million annually over the 2017-2021 period for the Department of Justice to make grants to state, local and tribal governments for programs to combat opioid abuse.

The bill, Stefanik's release said, is fully offset from reductions in existing programs. The result is no net increase in spending authorizations.

APPROACH CRITICIZED

One of Stefanik's opponents in this year's election says the legislation is just old wine in a new bottle.

"As someone who has watched a number of friends and family battle with addiction, I can only say that continuing our illegal drug wars and bolstering up law enforcement to 'fight' addiction will never result in the 'thoughtful action' Elise says she desires for all those afflicted," Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello told the Press-Republican.

"Escalating the tools available to 'fight' drug addiction is just escalating the violence.

"Drug addiction requires acknowledgement and meaningful treatment and not enforcement, court and jail time, which have been shown to directly cause black market sales, drug-related violence and mass incarceration."

He said decriminalizing drug use and offering free or affordable treatment to those suffering with addiction is the "only intelligent way I can see to handle this issue.

"Elise's way has been tried for many decades already, and it has only resulted in massive increases in all of the negative numbers she herself cites in defending her support for this bill."

Democratic Party candidate Mike Derrick did not respond to a Press-Republican request for a comment.

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