Goodlatte Statement on President Trump’s Public Health Emergency Declaration for the Opioid Crisis

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today issued the following statement on the formal announcement from President Trump declaring the opioid crisis as a public health emergency: “The opioid epidemic in the United States has destroyed too many lives, families, and communities across the United States. We have all heard the grim statistics: 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. That is more than 33,000 a year. These people are our neighbors, friends, and loved ones and need our help. I’ve heard from constituents about how the opioid epidemic has hit home and affected their families. “While Congress has taken action to combat the opioid epidemic through the historic Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, it’s clear that we need more tools to combat this ever-growing problem. I commend President Trump for formally declaring the opioid crisis as a public health emergency. This will bring much needed public awareness to this epidemic and hopefully prevent addiction and save lives. Additionally, the House Judiciary Committee will continue to review our nation’s laws to determine if more resources are needed to address the opioid crisis.”Background:

• In July 2016, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (S. 524). It strengthens the enforcement of our nation’s drug laws, provides tools to combat addiction, offers appropriate treatment and care to addicts so that they can begin to reclaim and rebuild their lives, and leverages existing programs to accomplish these goals.
• Building on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, the House Judiciary Committee approved the Stop the Importation and Trafficking of Synthetic Analogues Act of 2017 (H.R. 2851) in July 2017. This bill updates current law to provide swifter action to stop the unlawful importation and distribution of synthetic drugs, including synthetic opioids, and gives law enforcement effective tools to help keep our communities safe.
• Earlier this month, Chairman Goodlatte testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee as part of a bipartisan “Member Day” on the opioid crisis. The bipartisan Member Day allowed representatives to testify about the opioid epidemic, share local and personal stories, and highlight potential legislative solutions.