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Larson on Additional Funding to Fight Opioid and Heroin Epidemic

February 3, 2016

Washington – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement regarding proposals from President Barack Obama and Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) to allocate an additional $1.1 billion and $600 million respectively to combat the growing heroin and opioid epidemic:

“Connecticut is already seeing the ravages of heroin and opioid abuse firsthand. In less than a week, New London witnessed nineteen overdoses, while Hartford police seized 1,300 bags of heroin on Sunday. Opioid and heroin abuse take a devastating toll on too many families in Connecticut and across the nation. We must do more to ensure men and women wrestling with addiction get the help they need.

“To that end, I commend President Obama for recognizing the toll this epidemic has taken on our communities. His proposal to expand access to treatment programs will allow countless more Americans to enter recovery. Everyone who wants treatment should have access to it.

“I am also proud to join my friend and colleague, Rep. Joe Courtney, by signing on to his proposal to improve existing treatment and prevention programs. We can and should take every step to make sure no one else loses their life or a loved one to this growing epidemic.”

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Issues:Health Care