Joe Manchin: “I wish to say to the chairman that I appreciate his hard work on this bill, a very important piece of legislation. I…”

“I wish to say to the chairman that I appreciate his hard work on this bill, a very important piece of legislation. I would like to address an issue that touches all of us: Democrats and Republicans, rich and poor, young and old, West Virginians and New Yorkers. As you know, the prescription drug epidemic is destroying communities across this nation, wreaking havoc on our education system, devastating our workforce and our economy, and tearing our families apart. Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States, and it is claiming the lives of thousands of Americans every year. According to a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control in November, the death toll from overdoses of prescription painkillers has more than tripled in the past decade. More than 40 people die every day--every single day--from overdoses involving narcotic pain relievers. These prescription painkillers kill more Americans than heroin and cocaine combined. It's especially tough in my home state of West Virginia, which has the highest rate of drug overdose deaths in the country. Nearly 90 percent of those deaths are linked to prescription drug abuse. For months now, I have been going out and listening to the stories of so many people in my State--law enforcement, business owners, school teachers, pastors, and especially the children who ask for help getting their parents off the stuff.…”