Frank Pallone: “I rise this morning to speak in favor of the House amendment to S. 524. Over the last 2 days of floor debate, we have…”

“I rise this morning to speak in favor of the House amendment to S. 524. Over the last 2 days of floor debate, we have heard heartfelt speeches from Members of Congress about how the opioid epidemic is affecting their constituents and, for some, their own families. We have heard from both Democrats and Republicans, Members from urban districts, suburban districts, and rural districts, as well as Members from every region of the United States. What is clear is that no community has been immune to this crisis, including communities in my home State of New Jersey. About 256,000 New Jersey residents are addicted to heroin and prescription opioids. That is nearly the same as the entire population of Newark, the largest city in New Jersey. This is a serious crisis that demands an urgent response. A comprehensive solution to the crisis will require real dollars and must take an approach that targets the full spectrum of addiction: prevention, crisis response, expanding access to treatment, and providing support for lifelong recovery. The approach must be guided by science and cannot be deterred because of stigma or misperceptions about proven treatment and intervention strategies. I am pleased to support the package of opioid legislation that we are considering today because it takes steps towards that approach.…”