[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 3, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S3382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 466--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 27 THROUGH 
NOVEMBER 2, 2014, AS ``NATIONAL DRUG TAKE-BACK WEEK'', AND DESIGNATING 
    OCTOBER 2014 AS ``NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION OPIOID AND HEROIN ABUSE 
                           AWARENESS MONTH''

  Ms. AYOTTE (for herself and Ms. Klobuchar) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 466

       Whereas prescription opioids can play an integral role in 
     proper pain management and treatment of health conditions;
       Whereas when no longer needed or wanted for legitimate pain 
     management or health treatment, prescription opioids are 
     susceptible to diversion;
       Whereas prescription opioids may be abused by individuals 
     who were not prescribed such drugs or misused by individuals 
     not taking such drugs as directed;
       Whereas prescription opioid pain relievers are powerful, 
     regulated drugs that, according to the National Institute on 
     Drug Abuse, attach to the same cell receptors as heroin;
       Whereas prescription opioids, when used improperly or not 
     taken as prescribed, can be addictive;
       Whereas scientific studies indicate a link between 
     prescription opioid abuse and potential future heroin use and 
     addiction;
       Whereas compared to prescription opioids, heroin is a 
     cheaper drug and becoming more readily available;
       Whereas deaths from heroin overdoses have significantly 
     increased in communities across the United States;
       Whereas addiction and overdoses take lives, ruin families, 
     and fuel rising crime rates in communities across the United 
     States;
       Whereas drug take-back programs allow for the collection 
     and safe disposal of unwanted or unused drugs; and
       Whereas drug take-back days are held infrequently: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) encourages a continuous national dialogue on efforts to 
     combat prescription opioid abuse and heroin addiction;
       (2) supports a holistic approach to addressing prescription 
     opioid and heroin abuse, including through law enforcement 
     and first responder initiatives, international drug 
     interdiction, and treatment, recovery, prevention, and 
     education efforts;
       (3) recognizes the commitment of Federal, State, and local 
     law enforcement personnel, first responders, firefighters, 
     treatment providers, researchers, prescribers, pharmacists, 
     dispensers, medical boards, manufacturers, and community 
     organizations to addressing prescription opioid abuse and 
     heroin addiction;
       (4) supports the goals of drug take-back efforts by the 
     Drug Enforcement Administration and the State, local, and 
     tribal law enforcement partners of the Drug Enforcement 
     Administration, and encourages the expansion of such efforts;
       (5) designates the week of October 27 through November 2, 
     2014, as ``National Drug Take-Back Week'';
       (6) encourages media organizations to bring awareness to 
     prescription opioid and heroin use, particularly among the 
     youth in the United States; and
       (7) designates October 2014 as ``National Prescription 
     Opioid and Heroin Abuse Awareness Month''.

                          ____________________