[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 99 (Thursday, June 14, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H5163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      BATTLING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC

  (Mr. POLIQUIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. POLIQUIN. Mr. Speaker, Maine is a big small town. Our population 
is only 1.3 million people, and it seems like everybody, Mr. Speaker, 
knows everybody else. But this opioid epidemic has devastated so many 
of our families in the great State of Maine, including having a big 
impact on my own.
  Every day, one Mainer dies from an opioid epidemic up in our great 
State. We must continue to battle this devastating scourge on our 
population, and it must be all hands on deck.
  Several months ago, Congress appropriated $4 billion back to the 
States for increased law enforcement and early education and for 
recovery programs, but there is so much more, Mr. Speaker, that needs 
to be done. That is why this week I am so proud that the House of 
Representatives passed, with a big bipartisan vote, the Safe Disposal 
of Unused Medication Act. This allows hospice workers to safely dispose 
of unused opioids and other powerful medications so that they don't 
fall into the wrong hands.
  I am grateful, Mr. Speaker, for all Democrats and Republicans here in 
D.C. and back in Maine who helped give our families more security. We 
have got to stay on the offense and battle this epidemic until we have 
won.

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