WASHINGTON, DC – This week, President Donald Trump announced the “Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse and Reduce Drug Supply and Demand” in an effort to curb the opioid epidemic. The initiative aims to reduce drug demand and over-prescribing, is designed to help cut off the supply of illicit drugs, and focuses resources on those struggling with addiction.
Following the announcement, Congressman David Rouzer released the statement below:
“Opioid addiction is a horrific problem for North Carolina and the rest of the country. It represents one of the most significant challenges our communities, parents, law enforcement officers, local health departments, treatment facilities, and schools — among others — have ever faced. Unfortunately, no community is immune to this epidemic.
I applaud the Trump Administration’s initiatives to address the major factors fueling this epidemic and the proposed solutions to help curb it. These initiatives will only help and complement the many efforts being made at all levels of government to raise awareness, collaborate across county lines, and develop new approaches to curb this scourge in our communities.”
The Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse and Reduce Drug Supply and Demand:
- Launches a nationwide evidence-based campaign to raise public awareness about the dangers of prescription and illicit opioid use;
- Supports research and development efforts for innovative technologies and additional therapies designed to prevent addiction;
- Implements a Safer Prescribing Plan in an effort to cut nationwide opioid prescription fills by one-third within three years;
- Leverages advanced screening technologies to prevent the illegal smuggling of drugs through our land borders, ports of entries, and waterways;
- Provides the DOJ with greater flexibility to prosecute criminally negligent doctors, pharmacies, and distributors;
- Strengthens criminal penalties for dealing and trafficking in fentanyl and other opioids;
- Expands access to evidence-based addiction treatment in every state; and,
- Provides on-demand, evidence-based addiction treatment to service members, veterans and their families.
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