[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 12, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H5026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE DEVASTATING NATIONAL EPIDEMIC

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Schneider) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, every day, day in and day out, more than 
115 Americans die from overdosing on opioids. We are in the midst of a 
devastating national epidemic that does not discriminate by geography, 
age, income, education, or race.
  I have heard from families who have lost loved ones to this epidemic. 
I have talked to the first responders who are on the front lines. I 
have talked to the doctors who treat the patients and the victims of 
this disease. I have talked to community leaders about the impact this 
epidemic is having in their communities, in our States, and across our 
Nation.
  So today, I rise encouraged that this House, this week, is finally 
poised to take action to address the addiction and abuse hurting so 
many of our communities. This week, we will vote on several bills that, 
among other things, seek to provide communities with needed resources 
to fight the epidemic, crack down on dangerous synthetics coming into 
our Nation, and improve care available to our veterans.
  Among these, I am pleased that the House is voting on two specific 
measures I have cosponsored.
  The Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act would create centers 
pairing treatment and recovery services together with community 
engagement.
  The Preventing Overdoses While in Emergency Rooms, or the POWER Act, 
would increase the coordinated care options available for patients who 
have survived an overdose. These people, in particular, need more than 
just naloxone. They need extended treatment and support to overcome 
their addiction.
  This epidemic is a crisis. We, as a country, as a body, need to act. 
I urge my colleagues to support these measures as we work to turn the 
tide, and I hope that we can continue to build on the bipartisan 
progress we are making in the days ahead.

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