Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act.

The unfortunate reality is that while the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged our Nation last year, so did the opioid crisis.

More than 93,000 overdose deaths were reported in 2020.

Meanwhile, enough fentanyl has been seized at our southern border this year to kill the entire U.S. population seven times over.

And just the other week, the DEA warned that counterfeit pills laced with this deadly synthetic opioid are spreading across all 50 States.

These statistics are harrowing, and the stories of loss they cause are heartbreaking. All of us have loved ones, friends, or neighbors in our communities that have been impacted.

As a former Geauga County prosecutor, I saw firsthand how addiction has devastated communities in northeast Ohio and know how important it is to support local efforts that reduce and prevent youth drug use.

That is why I introduced the Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act with my friend and colleague on the other side of the aisle, Congressman Kilmer.

Recognizing that local problems need local solutions, the Drug-Free Communities Program provides funding to local coalitions that engage multiple sectors of their communities in order to reduce and prevent substance abuse disorder among younger Americans.

No other drug prevention program has consistently achieved the same reduction in youth drug use than the Drug-Free Communities Program has.

However, hundreds of coalitions have been unable to meet the program's local matching requirements due to financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

My bipartisan legislation will address that challenge and ensure these coalitions have the resources and flexibility they need during these difficult times to combat the crisis of addiction gripping our country.

With more Americans dying from drug overdoses than ever before, it is critical that we do everything we can to support and empower those working on the front lines in our communities to reduce and prevent addiction among our children.

I strongly urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill today.

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