Opioid crisis must be met head on at all levels
By U.S. Senator BillCassidy, M.D.
March 26, 2019
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As heroin, fentanyl and other drugs pour through the southern border, killing Americans across the country, every state has become a border state. President Trump’s emergency declaration seeks to stop the flow of drugs and put an end to the over 60,000 overdose deaths each year. I fully support this effort and a continued ‘all of the above’ response to the opioid crises.
It’s not enough to just secure the border from drugs and prevent more from becoming addicted, we must help our communities and those already affected. Last year, with my support, Congress passed the Opioid Crisis Response Act. When President Trump signed it into law, he called it, “the single largest bill to combat a drug crisis in the history of our country.” It included resources to stop illegal drugs at the border, support the discovery of non-addictive painkillers, and treatment to help those already addicted.
This was a major accomplishment, but families affected by the opioid crisis should know our efforts did not end after the bill signing ceremony. Congress continues to work with the Trump administration and our local leaders to make sure we implement these policies and achieve positive outcomes. We are also finding new ways to approach the issue.
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Something must be done. While we take national action on border security and the supply of opioids, we also need local solutions to curb these devastating impacts. I’m glad to see local leaders in central Louisiana coming up with solutions.
Too many mothers and fathers have lost sons and daughters to this crisis. Whether securing our border or securing our communities, we will continue to combat the opioid epidemic. Our commitment has not wavered.