[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 23, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4548-S4549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Markey, Mr. Whitehouse, 
        and Mr. Leahy):
  S. 1654. A bill to prevent deaths occurring from drug overdoses; to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today, in an effort to decrease the rate of 
drug overdose deaths, I am pleased to be joined by Senators Durbin, 
Whitehouse, Markey, and Leahy in introducing the Overdose Prevention 
Act. Representative Donna Edwards is introducing this bill in the other 
body.
  Throughout the country, the death rate from drug overdoses has been 
rapidly climbing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, CDC, drug overdose death rates have more than tripled since 
1990, and more than 110 Americans died each day from drug overdoses in 
2011. More than half of these deaths are attributable to opioids, like 
prescription pain relievers or heroin. Indeed, this tragic epidemic has 
hit particularly hard in my home state of Rhode Island, where in 2014, 
239 individuals died from drug overdoses.
  Americans aged 25 to 64 are now more likely to die as a result of 
drug overdose than from injuries sustained in motor vehicle traffic 
crashes. While overdoses from illegal drugs persist as a major public 
health problem, fatal overdoses from prescribed opioid pain medications 
such as oxycodone account for more than 40 percent of all overdose 
deaths.
  It is clear that we must do more to stop these often preventable 
deaths. Fortunately, the drug naloxone, which has no side effects and 
no potential for abuse, is widely recognized as an important tool to 
help prevent drug overdose deaths. Naloxone can rapidly reverse an 
overdose from heroin and opioid medications if provided in a timely 
manner. Overdose prevention programs, including those that utilize 
naloxone, have been credited with saving more than 26,000 lives since 
1996, according to the CDC.
  Opioid abuse and overdose is not an abstract threat found in far-off 
corners. It is a national public health crisis and it's taking place 
right here at home in our communities and our neighborhoods.
  Rhode Island is taking steps to combat this scourge and is leading 
the way in adopting innovative solutions. Through a ``collaborative 
practice agreement,'' some Rhode Island pharmacies are dispensing 
naloxone, along with training about its proper use, to anyone who walks 
in and requests the treatment, no prescription necessary. In addition, 
the Rhode Island State Police carry naloxone in every cruiser.
  The Overdose Prevention Act, which we are introducing today, would 
complement these efforts and take important steps towards addressing 
this

[[Page S4549]]

issue nationally and increasing access to naloxone in our communities. 
The legislation aims to establish a comprehensive response to this 
epidemic that emphasizes collaboration between state and federal 
officials and employs best practices from the medical community, as 
well as programs and treatments that have been proven effective to 
combat this startling national trend. This is an emergency and it 
requires a coordinated and comprehensive response.
  Specifically, the bill would authorize the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services, HHS, to award funding through cooperative 
agreements to eligible entities--like public health agencies or 
community-based organizations with expertise in preventing overdose 
deaths. As a condition of participation, an entity would use the grant 
to purchase and distribute naloxone, and carry out overdose prevention 
activities, such as educating and training prescribers, pharmacists, 
and first responders on how to recognize the signs of an overdose, seek 
emergency medical help, and administer naloxone and other first aid.
  As rates of overdose deaths continue to spike, public health 
agencies, law enforcement, and others are struggling to keep up without 
clear and timely information about the epidemic. Therefore, the 
Overdose Prevention Act would also require HHS to take steps to improve 
surveillance and research of drug overdose deaths, so that public 
health agencies, law enforcement, and community organizations have an 
accurate picture of the problem.
  It would also establish a coordinated federal plan of action to 
address this epidemic. The Overdose Prevention Act seeks to bring 
together first responders, medical personnel, addiction treatment 
specialists, social service providers, and families to help save lives 
and get at the root of this problem.
  I am pleased that the Overdose Prevention Act has the support of the 
American Association of Poison Control Centers, the Drug Policy 
Alliance, the Harm Reduction Coalition, and the Trust for America's 
Health. I look forward to working with these and other stakeholders, as 
well as our cosponsors to urge the rest of our colleagues to join us in 
supporting this crucial legislation.

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