Ayotte, Klobuchar Call for National Drug Take-Back Week and Heroin Abuse Awareness Month

Press Release

U.S. Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at bringing greater awareness to the dangers of prescription opioid abuse and heroin addiction. The resolution would designate the week of October 27-November 2 as "National Drug Take-Back Week" and designate October as "National Prescription Opioid and Heroin Abuse Awareness Month." The resolution supports the goals of drug take back efforts and calls for greater public attention to the hazards of prescription drug abuse and heroin use.

"In New Hampshire and nationwide, we are facing a heroin epidemic that is taking lives and devastating communities and families," said Senator Ayotte. "Abuse of prescription opioids is too often a gateway to heroin use and addiction. This bipartisan legislation would ensure that we work to identify solutions to combat prescription opioid and heroin abuse and encourage the safe disposal of unused and unwanted drugs. I will continue to work with law enforcement and public health officials in New Hampshire to find solutions that save lives."

"Prescription drug abuse across the country has reached crisis levels and is often connected to heroin abuse," Klobuchar said. "With so many heroin users first getting hooked on prescription drugs, we can spare no effort in our fight to reverse this deadly trend. That's why I passed legislation to expand drug take-back programs in communities across the country, and I will keep working to make sure we have the tools we need to keep families safe and tackle this epidemic head-on."

As New Hampshire attorney general from 2004 to 2009, Ayotte led the New Hampshire Drug Task Force and worked closely with state and local law enforcement to boost efforts to combat drug abuse, drug-trafficking and other drug-related crimes. She has been a strong advocate for Byrne JAG, which helps bolster crime-fighting and drug treatment efforts at the state and local levels.

Klobuchar passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act to provide consumers with more safe and responsible ways to dispose of unused prescription medications and controlled substances. The law expands options for people to dispose of prescription medications and promotes the development and expansion of prescription drug take-back programs. Klobuchar recently urged the DEA to issue the Final Rule necessary to implement the legislation.

"It is imperative that we work together in our communities and throughout the state to call attention to and educate our residents on this horrible problem and the widespread societal impacts that it is having. Much of our communities' increased criminal activity is directly related to opioid and heroin abuse," said Enfield Police Chief Richard Crate, who is the incoming President of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police. "Senator Ayotte's resolution will go a long way in highlighting how serious the heroin and opioid addiction problems are in our state and encouraging a dialogue among law enforcement and first responders, treatment providers, and public health professionals."

"The New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs supports Senator Ayotte's resolution and her continued efforts to address the prescription opioid abuse and heroin problems that New Hampshire is facing," said Belmont Fire Department Chief David Parenti, President of the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs. "As first responders, we are well aware of the devastating impact that drug addiction has on our communities."

The resolution resolves that the Senate:

*Encourages a continuous national dialogue on efforts to combat prescription opioid abuse and heroin addiction;

*Supports a holistic approach to addressing prescription opioid and heroin abuse, including through law enforcement and first responder initiatives, international drug interdiction, and treatment, recovery, prevention, and education efforts;

*Recognizes the commitment of Federal, State, and local law enforcement personnel, first responders, firefighters, treatment providers, researchers, prescribers, pharmacists, dispensers, medical boards, manufacturers, and community organizations to addressing prescription opioid abuse and heroin addiction;

*Supports the goals of drug take-back efforts by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the State, local, and tribal law enforcement partners of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and encourages the expansion of such efforts;

*Designates the week of October 27 through November 2, 2014, as "National Drug Take-Back Week";

*Encourages media organizations to bring awareness to prescription opioid and heroin use, particularly among the youth in the United States; and

*Designates October 2014 as "National Prescription Opioid and Heroin Abuse Awareness Month".

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