[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 69 (Friday, April 27, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      OPIOID USE DURING PREGNANCY

  (Mr. CURTIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the POPPY Study 
Act, which will improve research and awareness of opioid use disorder 
during pregnancy.
  The opioid epidemic is a national crisis and has hit particularly 
hard in Utah. Unfortunately, Utah's drug overdose rate is ranked among 
the highest in the Nation. Six Utahns die every week from an opioid 
overdose. Sadly, Utah also has the highest rate of opioid prescriptions 
for pregnant mothers in the country, double the national average.
  Women have been disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic, 
and little is understood about the effect this has had on pregnant 
women. That is why I have introduced the POPPY Study Act, to improve 
our understanding of prescription opioid use during pregnancy, the 
effects that it can have on a mother and child, and how we can best 
help those who are pregnant and suffering from opioid use disorder.
  It is my hope that the POPPY Study Act will improve the care and 
well-being of our expecting mothers and their children.

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