[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 155 (Tuesday, September 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S6198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            OPIOID EPIDEMIC

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, on an entirely different matter, 
yesterday the Senate sent a message to the millions of Americans who 
have personally done battle with addiction to opioids and prescription 
drugs. We sent a message to the families who have watched our Nation's 
drug overdose fatalities double in the last decade alone; to those in 
recovery who have struggled to access the housing and work 
opportunities they need to get back on their feet; to the Governors, 
mayors, and local leaders who have seen communities from rural towns to 
inner cities literally hollowed out and threatened by this epidemic; to 
the police, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders whom 
our Nation has asked to confront this crisis, often without all of the 
specialized training and resources they need; and to every American 
affected by the opioid epidemic.
  The landmark legislation the Senate passed yesterday says: The Nation 
will not stand for this. More help is on the way. Yesterday evening we 
voted to build on Congress's prior efforts and deliver more relief to 
the communities that need it most.
  This landmark legislation addresses the crisis at every step of the 
way. It contains provisions to cut down on fentanyl and other illegal 
drugs coming across our borders, to reform how painkillers are 
prescribed and packaged, to invest in comprehensive opioid recovery 
centers, and to provide for more long-term medical research.
  It also contains two provisions I was pleased to secure for my fellow 
Kentuckians and for the whole country. The CAREER Act will help 
individuals in recovery to find housing and the job opportunities they 
need to rebuild lives of sobriety, and the Protecting Mothers and 
Infants Act will help the Federal Government to do more to support 
pregnant women and to protect unborn children from these drugs. This 
landmark legislation is like a Swiss Army knife that will help the 
Federal Government to fight opioid addiction in many different ways.
  I am grateful to Chairman Alexander for assembling this package, 
integrating the input of more than 70 Senators and shepherding it 
through passage.

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