Bipartisan Heroin Task Force Encouraged by Announcement of Opioid Epidemic as National Emergency

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H., issued the following news release:

The Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, led by Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NH), Tom MacArthur (R-NJ), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), is encouraged by President Trump's announcement that he is declaring the opioid epidemic a national emergency. The Task Force is urging Congress and the Administration to work together to ensure that the Public Health Emergency Fund has the resources to take on the crisis. Earlier, this year the Task Force announced a legislative agenda that includes commonsense, bipartisan legislation to address the opioid epidemic from the perspective of law enforcement, prevention, treatment, and recovery.

"We are encouraged by the announcement that President Trump intends to declare the opioid epidemic a national emergency and look forward to reviewing the details of his proposal," said the Task Force. "Now the hard work begins. We need a comprehensive approach to addressing the opioid crisis that includes expanding access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services as well as law enforcement. Congress must now act to fill the Public Health Emergency Fund or provide separate emergency appropriations. The Task Force stands ready work with the Administration to advance bipartisan proposals to help those struggling with the disease of addiction and ensure that the necessary resources are available to make declaring this crisis a national emergency effective."