[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 100 (Friday, June 15, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5221-H5222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMBATING THE OPIOID CRISIS IN CENTRAL WASHINGTON

  (Mr. NEWHOUSE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, in America, 91 people die every day from 
an opioid overdose. According to the

[[Page H5222]]

Washington State Department of Health, from 2012 to 2016, almost 300 
people in my Fourth Congressional District died from an opioid-related 
death. These alarming statistics demonstrate the desperate need for the 
35 bills we passed this week in regard to this crisis.
  I recently hosted an opioid summit in my district where I heard from 
constituents, Federal officials, law enforcement, and health 
professionals about the impacts this epidemic has in central 
Washington. One constituent bravely shared the story of her son, Eli.
  Eli was exposed to opioids in high school. He struggled with 
recovery, and despite support from his family, it was difficult to find 
help. His addiction did not let him live out his full potential, and he 
ultimately passed away in 2014 at the age of 22 years old.
  Unfortunately, there are many more stories like Eli's. We must put an 
end to this epidemic which is why I am proud to support the important 
legislation Congress is working on. By improving access to treatment, 
prevention practices, and law enforcement, we are saving lives.

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