Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Statement on White House Proposal to Increase Funding to Fight Heroin Epidemic

Press Release

Today, the White House announced a proposal for over $1.1 billion in new funding to address the heroin epidemic and prescription opioid abuse. As the heroin epidemic has taken a heavy toll on too many families in communities across Illinois, Congresswoman Bustos has advocated for additional funding for treatment centers and law enforcement agencies to stem this crisis.

"Far too many families in our communities have lost loved ones to heroin and prescription drug overdoses," Congresswoman Bustos said. "When parents are burying their children, and people with addiction are crying out for help, we need to support programs that have been effective in reducing overdoses and drug dependency. I'm pleased that the White House is making this a priority, and I'm hopeful Congress will come together in a bipartisan manner to support this proposal to help families fighting addiction."

The President's FY 2017 Budget includes $1.1 billion in new mandatory funding over two years to expand access to treatment for prescription drug abuse and heroin use. This funding will boost efforts to help individuals with an opioid use disorder seek treatment, successfully complete treatment, and sustain recovery.

It also includes approximately $500 million -- an increase of more than $90 million -- to continue and build on current efforts across the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to expand state-level prescription drug overdose prevention strategies, increase the availability of medication-assisted treatment programs, improve access to the overdose-reversal drug naloxone, and support targeted enforcement activities. A portion of this funding is directed specifically to rural areas, where rates of overdose and opioid use are significantly higher than the national average.

In January, Congresswoman Bustos hosted Remedies Renewing Lives CEO Gary Halbach for President Obama's final State of the Union Address. Every year, Remedies provides support for about 1,500 victims of domestic violence and 1,800 people for opioid treatment, primarily for heroin addiction. However, because of the state budget impasse in Springfield, Remedies has completely lost funding for its drug treatment programs. Last month, Congresswoman Bustos also attended the ribbon cutting of Remedies new facility in Rockford, highlighting their work for families in Rockford and calling for the restoration of funding for substance abuse programs.

In December, Congresswoman Bustos voted for the Federal Omnibus bill, which included $7 million for the anti-heroin task forces within the Community Oriented Policing Services program, and $12 million for Justice Department grants for residential drug treatment. She also spoke on the House Floor about the heroin epidemic's toll on families in Illinois' 17th Congressional District.

Source