Opioid Abuse Efforts May Bring Lawmakers Together In Rare Show Of Bipartisanship
But both parties' interest in finding bills to combat abuse, improve treatment and bolster some law enforcement programs doesn't mean it faces smooth sailing in Congress. Meanwhile, experts and officials stress how urgent the crisis is at a Senate Judiciary committee hearing.
The Associated Press:
Drug Abuse Bill Raises Hopes For Election-Year Achievement
In a testy election year likely to see scant collaboration between Republicans and Democrats, there's a glint of hope in Congress for a bipartisan bill aimed at fighting heroin and opioid addiction — a deadly, growing problem that afflicts states both red and blue. Senate and House bills establishing grants to combat abuse, improve treatment and bolster some law enforcement programs are winning support from members of both parties. President Barack Obama used this month's State of Union address to call such legislation one area where lawmakers "might surprise the cynics" and get something done this year. (1/27)
The Wall Street Journal:
Officials Call For Stronger Efforts To Combat Heroin, Painkiller Abuse
Governors, senators and law-enforcement officials on Wednesday called for stronger efforts to combat heroin and painkiller addiction, saying the problem was overwhelming police, health-care workers and families in every state. At a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee, they argued for more federal funding, wider access to substance-abuse treatment and stricter rules for painkiller prescribing to fight the main driver of soaring drug overdose rates. (Whalen, 1/27)