Addiction is a problem that requires urgent attention: more than 246,000 Illinoisans were treated for illegal drug use and over 1,700 people died of drug overdoses in 2014. That’s why I’m glad to announce that Congress passed critical legislation this week to combat the growing opioid and heroin epidemic. This bill now awaits the President’s signature to become law.
I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill, S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which will expand the availability of the lifesaving drug naloxone, improve access to treatment options including buprenorphine, and strengthen prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) for our veterans.
Specifically, this bill includes a provision I introduced to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to participate in PDMPs, which will protect veterans who are vulnerable to opioid dependence because of combat-related injuries. It will also help prevent the VA from hiring doctors like Dr. John Sturman, who allegedly dispensed painkillers to vets recklessly, and without a legitimate medical purpose. It improves training requirements for prescribers of opioids and will make a real difference for those who are struggling with addiction.
I will continue to advocate for policies that will protect Illinois families and our nation’s heroic men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Sincerely,
Senator Mark Kirk
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