[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 113 (Friday, July 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E974-E975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 5587 PEER SUPPORT COMMUNITIES OF RECOVERY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 6, 2018

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5587, 
the Peer Support Communities of Recovery.
  H.R. 5587 provides for the establishment of regional assistance 
centers to implement addiction recovery support services throughout an 
individual's treatment.
  Everyday, over 100 people in the United States die from opioid 
related drug overdoses, while over 11.5 million people misuse 
prescription opioids.
  In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report 
cited 63,632 drug overdose deaths in the U.S., with a linearly 
increasing trend.
  In Texas, there were 1,375 opioid-related overdose deaths and within 
Houston alone, there were 364 drug-related overdose deaths that 
happened in 2016 according to the Treatment Center.
  The U.S. is going through a serious drug abuse epidemic and the 
resources available for recovering addicts are currently limited in 
variability.
  Peer support services are unique in that they allow for individuals 
with common experiences to share their stories of recovery with the 
people who might be seeking help.
  Through self-help and shared support, people are able to offer 
strength and hope to their peers, which allows for personal growth, 
promotes wellness, and encourages recovery.
  Examples of peer support include: peer mentoring or coaching; peer 
recovery resource connecting; recovery group facilitation; and 
community building.
  In Houston, we have peer support programs that exist for both adults 
and youth through the Houston Health Department and Houston Recovery 
Center.
  H.R. 5587 authorizes programs, similar to the ones that are having a 
positive impact in

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Houston, to be established across the country to serve other 
communities.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5587 to ensure 
that we are addressing substance abuse in the United States as 
efficiently as possible.

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