Reichert, House Pass Package to Fight the Opioid Epidemic

Statement

Today, the House passed H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act, with strong bipartisan support. This package includes H.R. 5788, the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act of 2018. Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) released the following statement after the vote:

"The opioid epidemic does not discriminate. It affects all Americans, tearing apart families and destroying thousands of lives every year because of overdoses. In my home state of Washington, we have seen an 134% increase in opioid-related cases between 2004 and 2016 which has also led to a 33% increase in opioid-related deaths. Today, my colleagues and I took a stand against this epidemic by passing a package of solutions aimed at stopping this crisis called the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. This includes stopping the shipment of opioids in the international mail system through the STOP Act that I was proud to champion as Chairman of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee. I know this bipartisan, bicameral package will help combat the opioid epidemic in our country."

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