[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 145 (Friday, August 31, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF DAVE HOPKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 31, 2018

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
Dave Hopkins, for his years of invaluable service in fighting the 
opioid epidemic with the Kentucky All-Schedule Prescription Electronic 
Reporting System (KASPER). A true icon and pioneer in the world of 
prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP), Dave has left an 
indelible mark on our Commonwealth--and indeed, the entire nation--for 
his leadership in fighting the scourge of drug abuse that has plagued 
far too many communities. His retirement on August 31, 2018 marks the 
end of a storied 13-year career with the Drug Enforcement & 
Professional Practices Branch in the Office of Inspector General; 
however, Dave will forever remain a part of the KASPER family.
  Dave joined the KASPER team as Grant Manager in 2005, and has since 
secured over $4.5 million in federal funding for this groundbreaking 
program. Indeed, in many respects, due to Dave's vision, KASPER has 
paved the way for successful implementation and integration of PDMPs in 
every state across our country. In particular, he was an integral part 
of the team that transitioned KASPER from a voluntary prescription drug 
monitoring system to a mandatory use system through the Kentucky 
Cabinet for Health and Family Services; this modification has proved 
invaluable in engaging the medical community in our shared fight 
against the abuse of prescription medications. In his role, Dave has 
worked tirelessly to educate prescribers, dispensers, and law 
enforcement to use this system and to help fight the spread of opioid 
abuse in the Fifth District and across Kentucky. Since KASPER became 
one of the first mandatory programs in the country, the Commonwealth 
has seen a reduction of nearly 90 million dosage units of opioid 
painkillers--which is a tremendous achievement.
  Furthermore, Dave has worked on legislation and policy solutions, 
spoken at conferences across the country, and worked with state and 
international leaders to develop their own prescription drug monitoring 
programs. When I have had the honor of sharing the stage with Dave, he 
has been introduced by his colleagues and peers as ``Dave Kasper,'' a 
true testament to how he's become synonymous with Kentucky's premiere 
PDMP.
  Dave's commitment to fighting prescription drug abuse extends even 
beyond his career with KASPER. He is a member of the Kentucky Narcotics 
Officers Association and the National Association of Drug Diversion 
Investigators, and has held positions in many organizations, including 
the Alliance of States with Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, 
RxCheck Governance Committee, Regional Judicial Opioid Initiative, and 
Operation UNITE--which is near and dear to my heart.
  It is dedicated people like Dave Hopkins who will help us overcome 
the opioid epidemic facing our nation, and my wife, Cynthia, and I wish 
him all the best as he enters into retirement. Congratulations, Dave, 
and Godspeed.

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