Senator Lankford Supports Bill to Respond to Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement on the passage of HR 6, The Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018:

“Congress continues to respond to the opioid epidemic that has hit every part of the nation,” said Lankford. “This is a crisis that is all too real to the families in Oklahoma. Today’s opioid crisis bill addresses prevention, trafficking, access to drug disposals, support for NIH alternative pain treatments funding, and also reauthorizes funding for the 21^st Century Cures Act. We must continue to assist families who are directly impacted by the devastation of opioid abuse by focusing on interdiction for prevention, treatment, and recovery. In addition, we must continue to make every effort to rapidly bring non-addictive opioid alternatives to market for people who live with chronic pain.”

Lankford remains actively engaged in the national conversation that continues to impact Oklahoma and the nation. Last year, the White House declared the crisis a national health emergency in October 2017. In August, the Senate approved an additional $3.7 billion for cracking down on opioid abuse. Lankford also provided an update on the fight to combat the opioid crisis. Lankford also appeared in a recent documentary, Killing Pain, focused on the impact of the opioid crisis in Oklahoma.

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