Congressman Tim Ryan Statement on Summit County Heroin Overdoses

Statement

Congressman Tim Ryan statement regarding recent reports that Summit Country had 19 heroin overdoses in 24 hours.

"Heroin and prescription drug abuse is destroying lives, disrupting families and destabilizing our communities in Summit and across the nation. Today's report of 19 heroin overdoses in Summit Country in 24 hours is tragic and disturbing. Here in Akron we have lost 55 people in 2016, and we are only half way through the year. Recently, fatal drug overdoses became the leading cause of accidental death in Ohio. These are sons and daughter, brother and sisters, friends and neighbors -- the time to act is now. We cannot afford to wait.

"As Co-Chair of the Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus, I understand the tremendous damage substance abuse inflicts on our country, and that is why I have worked closely with my colleagues in Washington to pass comprehensive heroin and prescription drug prevention legislation. This bill is still being finalized and it is my hope that Democrats and Republicans can put their partisan differences aside and pass this initiative that can finally help to stem this terrible tide."

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