Lisa Murkowski

We have to be doing more when it comes to treatment.

We know that Native Americans, Alaska Natives as a population demographically are dying in the past two years of drug overdoses more than any other populations out there.

It speaks to the lack of resources for education, for treatment, for preventive services and public safety in Alaska Native communities.

It is just really disturbing to know that among American Indians and Alaska Native populations we see the highest drug overdose rates in the Country for both 2020 and 2021 in terms of population.

During the COVID pandemic, opioid overdose mortality rate among Alaska Native people doubled.

They are targeting these small, remote, rural, vulnerable communities. It is the worst predation there can possibly be.

We will not be able to get the support that we need for Israel, for Ukraine, for the Indo-Pacific, for the disasters, unless there is true, meaningful border security as part of this supplemental.

I think today's conversation is equally important, and that is a focus on our borders here within the United States and a recognition that when there is unrest and war abroad, we are never safe on our own territory.

To assume that we are so is naive and ill-informed, ill-placed.

I heard you say multiple times here this morning that comprehensive reform is needed. I think we would all agree that comprehensive reform is needed.

Senators Hoeven and Cortez Masto introduced S. 465, the 'Bridging Agency Data Gaps & Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act.'

Tribal leaders and federal partners must work together to protect our Tribal communities with effective and well-funded policy solutions to address the opioid crisis.

Senators Cantwell and Mullin introduced S. 2695, the 'Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act.'

Legislative solutions are needed to address the targeting that Tribes are experiencing.

I strongly support improving and keeping tele-health opportunities as available as possible.

We talked about fentanyl. There is a significant increase, significant provision in the supplement to combat fentanyl.

The lethality of which is almost incomprehensible for most people.

We have a challenge that is so big and so enormous.

We have to be doing more when it comes to treatment.

We know that Native Americans, Alaska Natives as a population demographically are dying in the past two years of drug overdoses more than any other populations out there.

It is just really disturbing to know that among American Indians and Alaska Native populations we see the highest drug overdose rates in the Country for both 2020 and 2021 in terms of population.

It speaks to the lack of resources for education, for treatment, for preventive services and public safety in Alaska Native communities.

During the COVID pandemic, opioid overdose mortality rate among Alaska Native people doubled.

They are targeting these small, remote, rural, vulnerable communities. It is the worst predation there can possibly be.

The time is now for the Committee to reengage.