Dear Friend,
The opioid crisis is tearing apart families across the country, including in Washington state. Since 2000, drug overdose deaths have increased by 137 percent, surpassing the number of Americans killed in motor vehicle accidents each year.
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Today, the House passed the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act (H.R. 5046). This bill is a good first step in combating the epidemic of addiction, and I’m pleased my amendment was included to expand community-based programs – like Seattle’s successful Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) – that offer a helping hand rather than jail time for those suffering from substance abuse.
Instead of arresting and prosecuting low-level drug offenders, we should be supporting successful programs that direct them to the services and help they need — reducing costs and recidivism in our criminal-justice system. However, Congress must continue working to dedicate the resources necessary to fully address this crisis, and I am committed to working with my colleagues in that effort.
As always, my office is here to serve you. If you have questions or comments about the topics that matter most to you, I encourage you to contact me through my website. You may also keep up-to-date on what I’m doing by following me on social media. If you need assistance dealing with a federal agency, such as the IRS or the VA, please do not hesitate to contact my Bothell office at (425) 485-0085.
Sincerely,
Suzan
