[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 77 (Monday, May 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HEROIN EPIDEMIC IN SOUTH JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS MacARTHUR

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 16, 2016

  Mr. MacARTHUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the growing 
addiction crisis and the challenge it presents for families and 
communities in South Jersey.
  We need to take action now, and it is with resolve, that I stand with 
the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, and local 
leaders like Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Ocean 
County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy. New Jersey's heroin overdose 
death rate is triple the soaring U.S. rate and our local officials have 
made combating the addiction epidemic a top priority. They have sought 
partnerships between law enforcement, hospitals and educators, and 
created a Drug Task Force to coordinate efforts with local police 
forces. The steps Congress is taking are strong and necessary, and I am 
proud to lead that effort by supporting bipartisan bills to address 
this growing crisis.
  Ocean County admits more people for heroin addiction treatment than 
any county in New Jersey. I wish we didn't have such high numbers of 
people needing help--but as long as they need assistance, we must make 
sure they get it, so they can improve their lives and provide hope to 
those struggling with this disease.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of New Jersey's Third Congressional District 
are tremendously grateful for the hard work done by Prosecutor 
Coronato, Sheriff Mastronardy and others like them. All of us know 
someone whose life has been affected by drug addiction--we need to 
fight this epidemic now.

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