Washington, D.C. — Today, the co-chairs of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), David Trone (D-MD), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), hosted a Member discussion with Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy, Regina LaBelle. During the discussion, the Members heard from Acting Director LaBelle about actions the Biden-Harris administration has taken to address addiction and the overdose epidemic, President Biden’s Drug Policy Priorities for Year One, and steps that Congress can take to prevent youth substance use disorder.

Task Force members had the opportunity to ask about the administration’s recommendations for addressing fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances (FRS), expanding access and information to treatment for substance use disorder, and efforts to disrupt international and domestic drug trafficking. Data shows that 93,000 Americans died of an overdose in 2020, the highest number ever recorded over 12 months.

“I was glad to meet with the Task Force and hear directly from Members about what is happening in their districts,” said Acting Director LaBelle. “Today’s meeting was also an opportunity to discuss actions the Biden-Harris Administration is taking to address addiction and the overdose epidemic, as well as its ongoing work to reduce the supply of drugs. We also discussed the urgent need for Congress to fund President Biden’s budget request to expand access to substance use prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services. I look forward to continuing to work with Congress to support evidence-based solutions that can help save lives.”

“The public health and economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic created new challenges in accessing and receiving treatment for those struggling with addiction and substance use disorder — making the ongoing work of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force more important than ever,” said Rep. Kuster, founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force. “Today’s discussion with Acting ONDCP Director LaBelle gave Members from both sides of the aisle an opportunity to address the impact of COVID-19 on the addiction crisis and coordinate legislative efforts to expand treatment options, reduce overdose deaths, and put people on the road to recovery. When those who are struggling with addiction or mental health challenges have access to the resources and support they need to recover and thrive, our families, communities, workforce, and economy stand to benefit. I’m proud of the work we have accomplished over the past seven years to address the evolving addiction crisis, and look forward to the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Task Force continuing to lead congressional action on the substance misuse epidemic.”

“Today, the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force joined the Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy, Regina LaBelle, for a productive discussion about the Administration’s recommendations to Congress on stopping the stream of illicit fentanyl,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force. “More than 93,000 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2020. It is imperative that we provide critical support for the millions across our country struggling with addiction. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and the Biden Administration to drive legislation that will expand resources for Americans living with mental health and substance use disorders.”

“Our country for far too long has ignored the severity of our mental health and addiction crises,” said Congressman Trone. “Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with ONDCP Acting Director Regina LaBelle with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to learn how we can better support those who are struggling. As one of the co-founders of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, I always want to learn about new ways to support individuals with substance use disorder. I thank Director LaBelle for taking the time to visit my community a few weeks ago and for providing insightful ideas today on how we can pursue evidence-based policies to end the opioid epidemic.”

“The Drug Enforcement Agency recently reported the Pacific Northwest, including my district of Southwest Washington, has been targeted by a flood of fentanyl being smuggled up the I-5 corridor,” said Rep. Herrera Beutler, co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force. “This has sadly caused a rise in overdoses, narcotic confiscations, and drug related crime across our communities. That’s why, today, I joined my Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force co-chairs to speak with and question the Office of National Drug Control Policy on their efforts to quell these disturbing trends. We had an insightful discussion on the ways we can work together to stop the flow of illegal drugs pervading our communities and how we can focus our efforts to help those with substance use disorder recover. I want to thank our knowledgeable panelist, Acting Director LaBelle, for her time, and I look forward to working with my Task Force co-chairs to combat the addiction crisis affecting our communities across the country.”

The co-chairs were joined by: Representatives Grace Meng, John Rutherford, Susie Lee, Donald Norcross, Ted Deutch, Seth Moulton, Paul Tonko, Jimmy Panetta, and Buddy Carter.

Rep. Kuster is leading the charge in Congress to combat the addiction and overdose crisis in New Hampshire and across the country. She introduced the STOP Fentanyl Act, a comprehensive, public health response to fentanyl and FRS. This legislation would bolster fentanyl research and education, invest in treatment for substance use disorder, and improve public health data and law enforcement training for fentanyl detection. Rep. Kuster also introduced the bipartisan Humane Correctional Health Care Act to repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion policy and ensure that incarcerated individuals receive the behavioral health care they so desperately need.

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The Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force merges Trone’s Freshmen Working Group on Addiction and the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force, which was co-chaired by Reps. Kuster and Fitzpatrick in the 116th Congress and founded by Rep. Kuster in 2015.

The purpose of the new Task Force is to combine efforts to make the most progress possible on addiction and mental health in the 117th Congress. The forthcoming 2021 Legislative Agenda will address these dual public health crises that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The group will host regular meetings with stakeholders, attend site visits, and create policies that will save lives.

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