[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LARSEN

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2006

  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
an often overlooked group of Americans who have made great 
contributions to the health and safety of our Nation. Those who have 
made a career out of counseling individuals with alcohol and drug 
addictions deserve our recognition, respect, and gratitude, as we 
celebrate National Addiction Recovery Month this September. 
Furthermore, I would like to recognize that September 20th is National 
Addiction Counselor's Day.
  Last year, over 19 million Americans used illicit drugs. Fifty-five 
million engaged in binge drinking, and over 16 million were considered 
heavy drinkers. These numbers are staggering. Imagine the entire 
populations of New York and Los Angeles as illicit drug users. Imagine 
if the entire population of Florida were heavy drinkers.
  This is a prevalent problem.
  The problem of addiction is not restricted to illicit, illegal drugs 
or products sold on the street. There are dangers in our homes and our 
medicine cabinets. Common household products, such as cough syrup, 
contain ingredients that can provide a high if taken in large enough 
doses.
  According to research conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free 
America, one in 10 teenagers, or 2.4 million young people, have 
intentionally abused cough medication to get high. Teens take 
excessively large amounts of over-the-counter cough medicine or abuse 
the main active ingredient in most cough syrups, dextromethorphan 
(DXM). DXM can be purchased over the Internet in bulk and is very 
dangerous when abused.
  Since cough medicine is a necessity in every home with a child, we 
must take action to ensure our kids are protected from DXM abuse. 
First, parents need to talk to their children about the dangers of 
overdosing on DXM and cough syrup. Second, Congress needs to ensure 
that bulk amounts of DXM are not sold over the counter, or over the 
Internet, to entities not registered to do so with the FDA. I urge 
congressional leadership to bring legislation I introduced with Rep. 
Fred Upton, H.R. 5280, the DXM Distribution Act of 2006, to the floor 
of the House for a vote.
  The professionals who treat the destructive disease of addiction are 
a dedicated, knowledgeable group. Today there are hundreds of thousands 
of clean and sober individuals living happy, productive lives because a 
counselor was there and made the difference. Not only do these 
counselors assist in recovery, but in prevention and intervention as 
well. Addiction professionals are an essential cog in the health 
services machine. Through training and experience, addiction 
professionals can help turn a life around and often even save a life.
  I call upon all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
invaluable contributions of addiction counselors. Congress has shown 
strong support for this issue in the past, yet we are far from victory. 
We must continue our steadfast fight against drug and alcohol 
addiction. The hard work of addiction professionals should be 
recognized, honored, and appreciated.

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