BY MITCH McCONNELL
U.S. Senator (R-Ky.)
As many as two million Americans are struggling with prescription drug addiction
across the nation. Tragically, heroin and opioid overdoses claim an average of 91
lives every day. This startling trend continues to get worse, especially here in
Kentucky.
But together, we can do more to fight back, and I will continue to assist those in
Kentucky who are working to fight the epidemic.
Since 2015, I have participated in over a dozen roundtable conversations across the
Commonwealth with law enforcement and front line health providers about their
efforts to combat addiction. At these events, I hear personal stories about the
pain this epidemic has caused to families and communities.
A study released by the University of Cincinnati confirmed what I have heard from
communities across Kentucky. It showed that 30% of Kentuckians surveyed know
someone with problems related to prescription opioids, and 20% know someone with
issues resulting from heroin use. Our Commonwealth is being overwhelmed by a
heartbreaking prescription opioid and heroin epidemic. Too many Kentuckians have
watched their loved ones struggle with addiction, and it’s tearing families apart.
“This public health epidemic is only getting worse,” said Garren Colvin, the
President and CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, “it requires a comprehensive and
collaborative effort to enhance prevention and treatment services.”
Therefore, I made securing crucial new resources to help combat heroin and
prescription opioid abuse a top priority in the government funding bill that was
recently signed into law. These new resources, which dedicates substantial funding
through the appropriations process to address this crisis, will allow us to take
another step towards ending it. Dr. Anthony Zipple, the CEO of Centerstone KY, told
my office that these funds will help “front line providers to more effectively
deploy resources and tackle this epidemic within our communities.”
These new resources will help build upon the progress we have already made to fight
heroin and prescription opioid abuse. Last year, I shepherded two bipartisan
authorizing bills through the Senate and into enactment that are already making a
substantial impact in our work to combat this epidemic.
The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) helped to bolster treatment,
prevention, recovery, and law enforcement tools. In addition, it established new
grant programs to help communities fight against substance abuse. My office stands
ready to help Kentucky organizations compete for these competitive federal grant
funds.
The 21st Century Cures Act authorized $1 billion over two years to help states
combat the prescription opioid epidemic. In fact, the first funds from the 21st
Century Cures Act were recently made available. Dr. Tom Price, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services, announced that Kentucky would receive over $10 million to
fight substance abuse. These competitive grants to states promote community-based,
innovative thinking to combat addiction, because local providers know the concerns
of their area and what tools they need to confront the problems.
Although one bill or a single grant alone cannot solve Kentucky’s substance abuse
problem, together these actions are helping to turn the tide of increasing addiction
and drug fatalities. Through the funding bill, for instance, we are able to
dedicate much-needed resources toward tackling the problem of heroin and
prescription opioid abuse. It’s just one more way we are fighting back against this
epidemic in our communities.
I stand ready to continue confronting this challenge on behalf of families across
Kentucky who have lost loved ones to addiction. Along with my colleagues in
Congress and in the Administration, this issue will continue to remain a top
priority until the scourge of drug addiction is behind us.