Promoting Responsible Opioid Management and Incorporating Scientific Expertise Act
Floor Speech
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Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in support of H.R. 4063, the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act. As those who defend our liberty return home from service, their fight for freedom internalizes. The homecoming of our nation's veterans often marks their entrance into a new war--a constant battle against a visceral and intangible enemy: substance abuse. As we pass this important legislation, we afford our veterans the adequate support to fight this uphill battle, thus allowing our nation's fallen soldiers to rise as they repeatedly repel attacks from addiction. We must pass the PROMISE Act, because if we do not look out for the protectors of our freedom, who will look out for us?
Through my experiences as an EOE investigator at the USPS, I saw firsthand the divisive consequences of substance abuse on addicts, their loved ones, and communities as a whole. The PROMISE Act will bring nationwide uniformity to opioid addiction prevention efforts by implementing opioid treatment and therapy guidelines, expanding VA safety initiatives, and establishing research-based committees to measure the quality of treatment methods. While some may question why we are voting today to help those who have broken our nation's laws, just consider: who were the citizens that protected our freedom and nurtured our liberty when they were called upon? Now that our soldiers are the ones in need, who are we to deny them?
Just as veterans took on the duty of defending our communities, we must come together to halt the increasing opioid addiction rate for the sake of veterans and the good of America as a whole. The PROMISE Act will serve to acknowledge veterans' selfless sacrifice by establishing a forgotten American ideal: that we as a nation will always care for those who protect and defend our freedom. While no amount of money could ever buy back that which was sacrificed in the name of liberty, the passage of this legislation will alleviate some of the hardships faced by opioid-dependent veterans. As we look to find the most effective methods for treating opioid addiction, the PROMISE Act will serve as a strong step toward reversing our nation's substance abuse epidemic.
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