National Addiction Recovery Month

NATIONAL ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 26, 2006)

SPEECH OF HON. RICK LARSEN OF WASHINGTON
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2006

* Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an often overlooked group of Americans who have made great contributions to the health and safety of our Nation. Those who have made a career out of counseling individuals with alcohol and drug addictions deserve our recognition, respect, and gratitude, as we celebrate National Addiction Recovery Month this September. Furthermore, I would like to recognize that September 20th is National Addiction Counselor's Day.

* Last year, over 19 million Americans used illicit drugs. Fifty-five million engaged in binge drinking, and over 16 million were considered heavy drinkers. These numbers are staggering. Imagine the entire populations of New York and Los Angeles as illicit drug users. Imagine if the entire population of Florida were heavy drinkers.

* This is a prevalent problem.

* The problem of addiction is not restricted to illicit, illegal drugs or products sold on the street. There are dangers in our homes and our medicine cabinets. Common household products, such as cough syrup, contain ingredients that can provide a high if taken in large enough doses.

* According to research conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, one in 10 teenagers, or 2.4 million young people, have intentionally abused cough medication to get high. Teens take excessively large amounts of over-the-counter cough medicine or abuse the main active ingredient in most cough syrups, dextromethorphan (DXM). DXM can be purchased over the Internet in bulk and is very dangerous when abused.

* Since cough medicine is a necessity in every home with a child, we must take action to ensure our kids are protected from DXM abuse. First, parents need to talk to their children about the dangers of overdosing on DXM and cough syrup. Second, Congress needs to ensure that bulk amounts of DXM are not sold over the counter, or over the Internet, to entities not registered to do so with the FDA. I urge congressional leadership to bring legislation I introduced with Rep. FRED UPTON, H.R. 5280, the DXM Distribution Act of 2006, to the floor of the House for a vote.

* The professionals who treat the destructive disease of addiction are a dedicated, knowledgeable group. Today there are hundreds of thousands of clean and sober individuals living happy, productive lives because a counselor was there and made the difference. Not only do these counselors assist in recovery, but in prevention and intervention as well. Addiction professionals are an essential cog in the health services machine. Through training and experience, addiction professionals can help turn a life around and often even save a life.

* I call upon all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing the invaluable contributions of addiction counselors. Congress has shown strong support for this issue in the past, yet we are far from victory. We must continue our steadfast fight against drug and alcohol addiction. The hard work of addiction professionals should be recognized, honored, and appreciated.

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