Katherine Clark: “I would like to thank my colleagues for joining us this evening for this critically important discussion. I thank the…”

“I would like to thank my colleagues for joining us this evening for this critically important discussion. I thank the chairs of the bipartisan task force on the opioid epidemic for their leadership and tenacity in pushing reforms. I thank Congresswoman Kuster and Congressman Guinta. This week the House will debate solutions to our Nation's opioid crisis. If there has ever been a time to put away partisan differences and ideological rhetoric, it is now. I am proud of the work of the task force in supporting bipartisan bills to help stem the tide of this epidemic. This is a public health crisis that reaches into every community. It is an equal opportunity killer, without regard for age, gender, race, or economic background. It does not care if you are a Democrat or a Republican. In Massachusetts, just last year we lost nearly 1,400 lives to this opioid crisis. Half of all of the deaths in Massachusetts of opioid overdoses involve heroin, but prescription opioid overdoses are also surging. Between 2013 and 2014, they increased by over 90 percent. In my State more than others, the epidemic is claiming the lives of our young people ages 25 to 34. Too many parents are trying to save their child from opioid addiction's deadly grip, and they are counting on us for help. That is why we are here this evening--to do everything we can to save lives.…”