Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise to express my concern about the opioid epidemic that is plaguing our Nation, hurting our families, reducing productivity, and, really, one of the most shocking things that we have been experiencing across this land. I want to recognize some people in Arkansas who are making a real difference. In 2015, 392 Arkansans lost their lives to drug overdose. This crisis is terrifying and is killing our young adults and breaking up our families. They have lost acquaintances, friends, classmates, and family members to the grip of prescription drugs and illegal substances. In Arkansas, Drug Director Kirk Lane is facing this issue head-on, coordinating the State's drug and alcohol prevention, treatment, education, and law enforcement efforts. Curt Bradbury, who lost his son to substance abuse in 2010, has been out front and a tremendous ally in the fight to curtail the abuse of controlled substances. His contributions helped start the Arkansas Prescription Monitoring Program, a database that tracks the prescription of controlled substances across our State. Jerry Jones' tremendous advocacy efforts in Arkansas led to the passage of Arkansas Act 820, requiring prescribers to check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program every time they prescribe a Schedule II and Schedule III opioid. I am proud to recognize these three individuals this morning for their positive efforts at tackling this devastating epidemic affecting our families. ____________________”