U.S. Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND-AL) and Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ-01), recently introduced bipartisan legislation, H.R. 7234, in response to rising rates of substance use disorder and addiction across the country.
The Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act, named for a Virginian who died by overdose in 2020, would reauthorize more than $900 million in funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) to support our nation’s fight against the substance use disorder epidemic which, from October 2020-2021, claimed a record setting number of lives according to the CDC. Key programs funded by the legislation address overdose prevention, first responder training, co-prescribing programs, pregnant and postpartum women substance use disorder treatment, and alternatives to opioids in emergency rooms.
“Homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse are significant issues for South Florida, and Congress must confront these issues and the challenges they present,” said Salazar. “That is why I am very proud to co-lead this important legislation, authorizing grants to better equip community partners to assist those in need. It is time to provide the full range of tools available to save lives, improve health, and keep families together.”
“The addiction crisis touches all of our communities — whether urban, suburban, or rural. Right now, we need to recognize that there are two pandemics happening in our country; even as we’re making significant progress in the fight against COVID-19, the opioid and substance use disorder crisis continues to worsen. And going forward, we must focus on strengthening access to treatment and recovery programs,” said Spanberger. “That’s why I am proud to lead this bipartisan, comprehensive effort to forcefully respond to the substance use disorder crisis through SAMHSA.”
“While there is a shortage of substance use disorder and mental health services across the country, rural communities face unique challenges in meeting their needs. SAMHSA grant programs have helped state, local, and tribal governments in North Dakota provide care to those most in need and I am proud to support this reauthorization,” said Armstrong.
“Working on the Chicago PD, I saw heartbreaking overdoses that tore apart families. Since then, the opioid crisis has grown and worsened, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said O’Halleran. “I’ve always been a strong supporter of commonsense measures that curb the over-prescription of painkillers and expand affordable, available treatment options for Arizonans struggling with addiction. I’m proud to join this bipartisan group in introducing legislation to reauthorize SAMSHA programs that will help the rural communities that need them most.”
For a one-pager on the Summer Barrow Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Act, click here.
For the full bill text click here.
Original source can be found here.
