June 26, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 108 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E849-E850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN SUPPORT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF H.R. 2740

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID P. JOYCE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 26, 2019

  Mr. JOYCE of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of those 
provisions of H.R. 2740 that reflect the President's proposals to 
continue funding for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block 
Grants and State Opioid Response Grants, two programs under the 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
  Substance use disorders have ravaged large parts of this country, 
including parts of my home state of Ohio.
  Madam Speaker, over the next 24 hours, about 130 Americans will die 
from an opioid-related overdose, close to 84 infants in Ohio will be 
born suffering from the horrific symptoms of drug withdrawal, and over 
20 million people across the country will continue to battle with 
addiction.
  In 2017, it is estimated that over 19.7 million Americans battled a 
substance use disorder. That's not to mention the approximately $740 
billion annually that drug abuse and addiction costs American society 
in lost workplace productivity, health care expenses, and crime-related 
costs.
  There is no one-size-fits-all solution to this crisis. Both addiction 
and addiction treatment are extremely complex. However, Substance Abuse 
Prevention and Treatment Block Grants and State Opioid Response Grants 
have helped countless communities across the country. To be sure that 
these funds are being used efficiently, they must be directed toward 
those programs which employ an evidenced-based approach to treatment 
and recovery. In particular, community-based recovery support programs, 
like SMART Recovery in my own district, have proven crucial in 
encouraging those suffering from addiction to stay on the proper path 
to recovery.
  One of my top priorities has been ensuring the federal funding 
Congress has provided to combat the opioid epidemic effectively 
supports the life-saving work our local communities carry out on the 
front lines of this crisis. While there is still work to be done, it is 
encouraging to see that Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block 
Grants and State Opioid Response Grants are helping organizations in 
Northeast Ohio and across the country save lives.
  That is why I am proud to rise in support of these provisions.

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