Bonnie Watson Coleman: “For what feels like the first time this year, the House got to work on something that would genuinely help millions of…”

“For what feels like the first time this year, the House got to work on something that would genuinely help millions of Americans: addressing the opioid crisis. My home State of New Jersey is a perfect example of this epidemic in both reach and financial impact. Four of every five new heroin users started their drug abuse addictions with a prescription opioid. By one estimate, New Jersey is now home to more than 128,000 heroin addicts. {time} 1645 In the past 10 years, heroin has claimed 5,000 lives in my State, and we fall just short of the top 10 in the percent of healthcare costs we use on those suffering with opioid addiction. Opioids, both heroin and prescription painkillers, are driving the national crisis of lethal overdose, with more than 60 percent of these deaths attributed to opiate abuse. Many have called this an epidemic, and they are absolutely right. It deserves our attention, and I applaud the bipartisan work we have done this week. But while we have taken a few vital steps, there are two very important things that I need my colleagues to understand. First, that although we have newly and rightly chosen to show those dealing with opioid addiction compassion and clemency, the only thing new about the addiction epidemic is its face. The greatest spikes have been among White, suburban Americans, for whom we are opening doors for treatment, rehabilitation, and alternatives to incarceration.…”