[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 18, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H5102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             OPIOID CRISIS

  (Ms. TLAIB asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my greatest concern 
and the urgency to act now to address our Nation's opioid crisis and 
drug overdoses.
  At the height of the pandemic in 2020 we saw record numbers of 
overdoses across the country, and in Michigan we saw even more alarming 
rates. In 2020, the opioid crisis claimed the loved ones of over 2,400 
Michiganders and communities like Ecorse, Michigan, in the 13th 
District, has seen the highest overdose rates in our State.
  The physical and mental health of our communities are under siege. We 
must do more and act with urgency to save lives. Accessibility to 
preventive treatments and resources for harm reduction is critical in 
keeping our communities safe.
  Also, we must not forget the importance of holding for-profit Big 
Pharma companies accountable in fueling this epidemic through the sale 
of higher doses of opioids to our communities. We must make the bold 
action to remove the stigma as well of this crisis, create equitable 
treatment plans, and expand access to harm reduction tools for those 
who need help.
  I applaud the administration for understanding the importance of this 
issue, but our communities can't wait another year for a grant or 
another study. We must hold the corporate profiteers accountable and 
get the boots on the ground to address this crisis.

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