Shuster-Backed Funding Bill Includes Dollars to Combat Opioid Abuse

Statement

Yesterday, with support from Congressman Shuster (R-Hollidaysburg), the House of Representatives passed a Continuing Resolution that brings much-needed funding to the fight against opioid abuse. Included in the measure was $37 million in new funding to help agencies jumpstart their efforts to combat and prevent the misuse of narcotic opiate substances.

"This is a public health crisis," said Congressman Shuster. " We need to do everything we can to get the ball rolling faster to stop the epidemic of opioid drug misuse. That means helping agencies find solutions at the federal level, as well as empowering communities to join together and have a conversation about the issue at a local level. I've been a part of those conversations, and I am hopeful that this new funding will speed our efforts to stop the opioid abuse epidemic."

Congressman Shuster has recently held a series of roundtables across the district to bring local officials and community members together to discuss the problem, and in July helped pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), a bill that included a number of treatment and prevention measures to reduce prescription opioid and heroin misuse.

Source