Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend President Trump for his attention to the opioid epidemic sweeping over our great Nation and his declaration of a public health emergency. As we work to address this epidemic, I was happy to welcome Richard Baum, the acting director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, to Cecil County in Maryland's First Congressional District 10 days ago for their Prescription Drug Take Back Day. My home State of Maryland has been hit particularly hard by the opioid crisis. Last year, 89 percent of all intoxication deaths in Maryland were linked to opioid abuse, and the frequency of opioid-related deaths quadrupled over the last 7 years. But despite these frightening statistics, State and Federal lawmakers across the country are still pushing to legalize recreational marijuana. Marijuana use increases the risk of cancer, hinders brain development in adolescents and young adults, and encourages experimentation with even more dangerous drugs, including opioids. Mr. Speaker, with the opioid crisis our Nation is currently fighting, why on Earth should we increase access to an addictive gateway drug? ____________________”