Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Surgeon General's new report titled ``Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health.'' In 2015, over 27 million Americans reported current use of illicit drugs or misuse of prescription drugs. That means that more people use prescription opioids than use tobacco, and there are more people struggling with substance abuse disorders than people with cancer. Substance abuse, misuse, and substance use disorders cost the U.S. more than $442 billion annually in crime, health care, and lost productivity--almost twice as high as the costs associated with diabetes. We in Congress have a responsibility to utilize this report and mobilize around its deeply scientific and evidence-based findings to find the best policy solutions that affect all of our constituents in districts across the country. Addiction does not discriminate. It affects Americans from every walk of life, regardless of race, class, gender, religion, or geographic location. Now is the time to face the addiction crisis head on. ____________________”