Sen. Toomey: Opioid Emergency Declaration Sends Clear Message Work Remains To Be Done

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 -- The office of Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pennsylvania, issued the following statement regarding Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf's declaration of the opioid and heroin epidemic as a statewide disaster emergency:

"The opioid and heroin crisis has rightfully drawn bipartisan attention in Congress and all levels of government, with President Trump having already taken the extraordinary step of declaring a nationwide public health emergency.

"As the devastating effects of this epidemic continue to ravage communities in Pennsylvania, today's declaration sends a clear message that more work remains to be done.

"Additional action must include implementing my already-passed legislation, the Stopping Medication Abuse and Protecting Seniors Act, which would reduce overutilization and diversion of powerful prescription opioids. We also need to keep dangerous substances, like deadly fentanyl, out of the United States by cutting off production at the source. I look forward to continuing my work on this issue with colleagues on both sides of the aisle."