Budd Cosponsors Bill to Help Get Victims of the Opioid Crisis Back Into the Workforce

Statement

U.S. Representative Ted Budd (R-NC) released the following statement after cosponsoring the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Through Effective Employment And Reentry (Career) Act:

"From day one of my time in congress, I have made the opioid epidemic a top priority. I know how much it has affected North Carolinians in recent years, and it doesn't get lost on me that this epidemic has long lasting effects on more than just their health. It's estimated that there's been a 25% decline in workforce participation as a result of the opioid epidemic. Last week, I became an original cosponsor of the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act, led by my friend Andy Barr from Kentucky."

"This bill takes three main steps towards getting people who've been hindered by the opioid crisis back into the workforce:

The first thing it would do is create a pilot program to encourage businesses, nonprofits, and treatment groups to form partnerships to place individuals who have completed treatment for opioid addiction into job training and employment, paired with continued recovery support.

The second thing it would do is free up and increase Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to be used for transitional housing for opioid recovery. Many people who've gone through the recovery process know how important this was for them.

Finally, this bill would also allow states to spend a portion of the workforce funds they receive to support job training for individuals who have been out of the workforce due to addiction.

There is not a one size fits all fix for the ongoing opioid epidemic in our country, but I believe the CAREER Act is a step in the right direction."

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