Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) spoke on the House floor on the devastating heroin and opioid epidemic as Congress continues consideration of dozens of bills to prevent addiction, encourage treatment and recovery, and improve law enforcement. Click here for video of her remarks; a transcript is below.
Mr. Speaker, my district and communities across our nation are being ravaged by the heroin and opioid epidemic.
This crisis touches our homes, our friends and our families in ways that have grave effects on everyday people and everyday lives.
Over the last fifteen years, heroin related deaths have quadrupled across our country.
And in 2016, over 3,600 New Yorkers died of an opioid overdose, with fatalities in some counties in my district doubling and tripling.
This is why since arriving in Congress, I’ve worked with my colleagues on the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force to pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, the 21st Century Cures Act, and to provide over $4 billion in funding to fight this epidemic.
But we must continue to attack this epidemic head on, which is why we are passing a package of bills this week to prevent addiction, encourage treatment and recovery, and improve law enforcement to keep our communities safe.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to continue this incredibly important bipartisan work so that the families we represent can get the relief they need.
Thank you, and I yield back.
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