Political Quotes

“In the United States, 2.1 million people suffer from dependency and addiction to prescription opioid drugs. Eighty percent of the world's pain pills are consumed in the United States, but we only have 5 percent of the world's population. This is an epidemic that reaches every corner of our Nation, transcending regional, State, community, and neighborhood lines. More people died from drug overdose in 2014 than ever before. Over 60 percent of those deaths involved the use of an opioid. Seventy-eight Americans die every single day from an opioid overdose. There are more people dying from prescription drug overdoses than from car accidents. This week, the House is considering 15 bipartisan measures that seek to address some of the widespread problems that have caused and perpetuated this national crisis; but as we look at treatment options and support for those who are dealing with this addiction, it is important that we actually focus on the root cause of the problem. We have seen for decades major pharmaceutical companies that have misled the FDA, doctors, and patients about the safety and risks of opioid dependence on commonly prescribed prescription drugs in their efforts to sell more drugs. Three top executives from Purdue Pharma even pleaded guilty to criminal charges. Just last week, the LA Times revealed how Purdue Pharma has made over $31 billion off of OxyContin, America's best-selling painkiller, by advertising the drug's 12-hour pain relief.…”