Date: 2016-05-10
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. this is an emotional night for me. I thank the gentlewoman from Massachusetts for guiding us. I also thank Representatives GUINTA and KUSTER. I am so moved by the fact that we are here on a bipartisan statement. As I spoke to Ms. KUSTER and indicated. as a ranking member of the Subcommittee on Crime. Terrorism. Homeland Security. and Investigations count me in. as she began to expand the tragic window of the impact of drug addiction. particularly opioids. Let me speak very quickly because I have a lot to say. This is an epidemic that has gone beyond reason. Between 2000 and 2014. almost half a million people died from drug overdoses. In 2014 alone. more than 47.000 people died of drug overdoses. The largest percentage of overdose deaths in 2014 were attributed to opioids like prescription painkillers. methadone. morphine. and heroin. Today in the Rules Committee. we made it clear that we want to work with doctors and law enforcement. We also said that we understand the use of painkillers during end of life. We understand that. so we are not here to condemn. We are here to help. I am so glad that the Judiciary Committee will have on the floor this Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act that responds to this crisis. It is a treatment bill where we will bring together law enforcement and substance abuse treatment persons. This emergency is compounded due to the perilous connection between prescription painkillers and heroin. Approximately three out of four new heroin users report that their use began with their abuse of prescription drugs. Not only were 11 million people at risk of overdosing due to their abuse of prescription painkillers. 11 million people were also at risk of becoming addicted to heroin with its attendant risks. We have heard the stories. and let me share some with you very quickly. I read one on the plane as I came up. It was a very painful story. A woman was detained in a fatal car wreck. In that car was her little 2yearold and a little 7yearold. She was on hydrocodone. She sideswiped two cars and then killed a person on a motorcycle. That persons family does not have them anymore. This woman will be subjected possibly to life imprisonment. Those children will not have a mother. What about the situation in Ohio? We dont know what the circumstances were. but eight persons of a family were killed execution style. Drugs were behind it. What about this mother who supplied hydrocodone and alcohol to her son and his date on prom night? There is an epidemic that we must confront. There are those who would do wrong. but those who are addicted. This is evidenced by a study. "How the Heroin Epidemic Differs in Communities of Color." It is important. as I stand here and look at the suburban and rural areas. that we. again. remember how it has doubled among African Americans. Latinos. and Native Americans and that we look to the kind of resources that would include all. In conclusion. let me share these numbers with you that I think are so very important. They are startling. The increase in overdose by rates: 267 percent by the White population from 2010 to 2014. 213 percent by African Americans from to 2010 to 2014. 137 percent by Hispanic. And Native Americans. 236 percent. Not one person can be counted out that needs to be included in our work here on the floor of the House. I am glad that we are making this statement today and next week because now America knows the Congress is speaking. the bully pulpit will be heard. and I hope we can save lives. I am pleased to join my colleagues of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic to speak on this important issue impacting all Americans. I want to thank Congressman FRANK GUINTA (RNH) for his leadership in elevating this issue to a national forum that has drawn unprecedented attention and concern. We must take action because today a leading killer of Americans is drug overdose. Between 2000 and 2014. almost half a million people died from drug overdoses. Many of these deaths were preventable. In 2014 alone. more than 47.000 people died of drug overdoses. The largest percentage of overdose deaths in 2014 was attributed to opioidslike prescription painkillers. methadone. morphine. and heroin. Specifically. 28.647 people overdosed and died because of an opioid in 2014. We are experiencing an emergency that impacts citizens in every state. city. and town in this countrythat is prescription painkiller and opioid abuse. This emergency is compounded due to the perilous connection between prescription painkillers and heroin. Prescription painkiller abuse is the strongest risk factor for future heroin use. Approximately three out of four new heroin users report that their use began with their abuse of prescription painkillers. Heroin use becomes appealing to those addicted to prescription painkillers because it is cheaper and easier to obtain. Due to its potency. heroin use tends to lead to addiction. Heroin addiction is often deadly. leading to overdose or other chronic diseases. The rate at which the occurrence of heroin overdose deaths increased is cause for alarm. In the four years between 2010 and 2014. heroin overdoses more than tripled. More than 10.500 people died from heroin overdoses in 2014. In 2013. more than 8.200 people died from heroin overdoses. In that same year. 11 million people admitted to improper use of prescription painkillers. Not only were 11 million people at risk of overdosing due to their abuse of prescription painkillers. 11 million people were also at high risk of becoming addicted to heroinwith its attendant risks and dangers. This current crisis requires an immediate and comprehensive response and the bill before us today is one element of a broader strategy. I am proud to say that I have worked with my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee and with members of the Heroin Task Force to introduce and cosponsor legislation that help combat this deadly epidemic. Legislation Supported by Jackson Lee 1. Bipartisan Comprehensive Legislation: H.R. 953Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015. Representative SENSENBRENNER. F. JAMES. Jr. [RWI5] (Introduced 2/12/15). 124 Cosponsors (84 Demsincluding SJL. 40 Reps). * No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. H.R. 3719-"Stop the Overdose Problem Already Becoming a Universal Substance Epidemic Act of 2015" or the "STOP ABUSE Act of 2015". Representative GUINTA. FRANK C. [RNH1] (Introduced 10/08/2015). 8 Cosponsors (4 Dems. 4 Reps). * No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. H.R. 4697Prevent Drug Addiction Act of 2016. Representative ESTY. ELIZABETH H. [DCT5] (Introduced 03/03/2016). 2 Cosponsors (Reps). * No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. 2. Legislation to Improve Pain Management Practices: H.R. 4499the "Promoting Responsible Opioid Prescribing Act of 2016" and as the "PROP Act of 2016". Representative MOONEY. ALEXANDER X. [RWV2] (Introduced 02/09/ 2016). 31 Cosponsors (18 Rep. 13 Dem). * No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. H.R. 2805Heroin and Prescription Opioid Abuse Prevention. Education. and Enforcement Act of 2015. Representative BROOKS. SUSAN W. [RIN5] (Introduced 06/17/2015). 41 Cosponsors (23 Reps. 18 Dems). *No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. H.R. 1821Opioid Overdose Reduction Act of 2015. Representative NEAL. RICHARD E. [DMA1] (Introduced 04/15/2015). 6 Cosponsors (4 Reps. 2 Dems). * No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. H.R. 2335Stop Tampering of Prescription Pills Act of 2015. Representative KEATING. WILLIAM R. [DMA9] (Introduced 05/14/2015). 9 Cosponsors (5 Dems. 4 Reps). * No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. H.R. 4599Reducing Unused Medications Act of 2016. Representative CLARK. KATHERINE M. [DMA5] (Introduced 02/24/2016). 14 Cosponsors (10 Dems. 4 Reps). *No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. H.R. 4063Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act. Representative BILIRAKIS. Gus M. [RFL12] (Introduced 11/18/2015). 30 Cosponsors (17 Reps. 13 Dems). *No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. 3. Legislation to Improve Treatment: H.R. 2536-"Recovery Enhancement for Addiction Treatment Act" or the "TREAT Act". Representative HIGGINS. BRIAN [DNY26] (Introduced 05/21/2015). 25 Cosponsors (18 Demsincluding SJL. 7 Reps). * No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. H.R. 4076The Reforming and Expanding Access to Treatment Act or the "TREAT Act". Representative TURNER. MICHAEL R. [ROH10] (Introduced 11/18/2015). 6 Cosponsors (all Dems). * No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. H.R. 3865Cradle Act. Representative JENKINS. EVAN H. [RWV3] (Introduced 10/29/ 2015). 38 Cosponsors (30 Reps. 8 Demsincluding SJL). * No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. H. R. 4586Lalis Law. Representative DOLD. ROBERT J. [RIL10] (Introduced 02/23/ 2016). 3 Cosponsors (2 Dems. 1 Rep). *No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. H.R. 2872Opioid Addiction Treatment Modernization Act. Representative BUCSHON. LARRY [RIN8] (Introduced 06/24/2015). 5 Cosponsors (4 Reps. 1 Dem). * No Sentencing Enhancements or Penalties. Sentencing Reform Legislation: H.R. 3713Sentencing Reform Act of 2015. Representative GOODLATE. BOB [RVA6] (Introduced 10/08/2015). 65 Cosponsors (48 Demsincluding SJL original. 17 Reps) We must make our best efforts to prevent individuals from moving from painkillers to heroin by making treatment for addicts more accessible by encouraging the use of evidencebased programs. such as medicationassisted treatment. Lifesaving overdose reversal drugs. like naloxone. are most valuable in the hands of trained individuals who regularly come in contact with individuals who are prone to drug overdoses. It is important that we support these measures that will increase the use and availability of naloxone and other overdose reversal drugs to first responders. Addiction is a disease that affects the brain and eventually changes the behavior of addicts. causing them to experience mental health issues and encounter legal problems. Treatment is the most reasonable and effective approach to diverting these individuals away from homelessness and prison. [From WETA FRONTLINE. Feb. 23. 2016]