Ed Markey: “President Obama has issued a proclamation that this week is Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. As…”

“President Obama has issued a proclamation that this week is Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. As the President explained, we pause to remember all those we have lost to opioid use disorder. We stand with the courageous individuals in recovery, and we recognize the importance of raising awareness of this epidemic. In recognition of Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week, I am here with my colleagues to convey the urgency of responding to this crisis. I want to start my remarks with a story I heard yesterday from a wonderful man named Patrick Byrne. I met yesterday with Patrick, as he was awarded the 2016 Education Award and Hero of the Year Award by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Patrick is from Lynn, MA. He lost his son James Byrne to heroin addiction. Here is their story. James Byrne lived a fairly normal life in many ways. The son of Lynn, MA, Branch 7 president and Army vet Patrick Byrne, James had a good upbringing and strong family ties. He had a master's degree in computer science and made a good living in IT, but throughout his adult life, James had been hooked on heroin, a drug easily found on Lynn's post- industrial streets. James had periods of sobriety, but circumstances always seemed to steal them from him eventually. James had enjoyed 7 months clean of drugs when an old friend and fellow addict called him one day in January of 2014 to beg James to find heroin for him.…”