[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING TEENS AGAINST INDIFFERENCE AND PALM BEACH COUNTY SUBSTANCE 
                    ABUSE COALITION YOUTH IN ACTION

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                        HON. THEODORE E. DEUTCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2018

  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, opioids are prescribed to reduce acute pain 
and are used as anesthesia during surgery. But, as we are all too 
aware, they have a high potential for abuse. Approximately 2.4 million 
Americans are currently battling an opioid-use disorder.
  In 2015, over 33,000 Americans died from an opioid-related overdose. 
In 2016, this number jumped to over 42,000. These tragic numbers show a 
worsening epidemic, which has been declared a national public health 
emergency.
  Mr. Speaker, this epidemic significantly impacts our nation's youth, 
with the rate of nonmedical use of opioids by adolescents and teens 
doubling from 1991 to 2012. The rate of teen drug overdose deaths 
skyrocketed 19 percent from 2014 to 2015, with 772 drug overdose deaths 
reported nationwide for teens aged 15 to 19.
  Students throughout Palm Beach County, Florida have responded to this 
emergency in an effort to save lives by raising community awareness of 
the epidemic and by reaching out to elected officials to urge them to 
action.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing these 
students and the work they have done to address this national public 
health emergency.

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