Opioid Crisis
The heroin and opioid epidemic has claimed too many loved ones, shattered too many lives, and broken too many families across our country. Over the past few years, the proliferation of fentanyl use has only made the crisis worse.
Combating this public health crisis requires collaboration among all levels of government, the medical community, law enforcement, and substance use treatment organizations.
The good news is that we have started to view addiction less as a moral failure and more as a treatable medical condition. To help those who struggle with addiction and prevent drug abuse in the first place, we need to understand the science of addiction.
The drug naloxone (Narcan) can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. Other drugs are coming to the market that directly block cravings for opiates and greatly reduce the probability of relapse. In order to truly address the opioid crisis, we need to work to prevent addiction before it takes hold, and expand evidence-based treatment options for individuals who struggle with opioid dependency.
This isn’t a partisan issue, and I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to marshal federal resources to help our communities fight this epidemic and save lives.
More on Opioid Crisis
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed two spending packages covering all 12 appropriations bills for fiscal year 2020.
WASHINGTON, DC – Late last night, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted all four amendments offered by Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) as part of the appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education.
The four amendments offered by Congressman Foster and adopted in the legislation would:
Join Congressman Bill Foster for a discussion about mental health & substance use disorder.
Mental health problems and substance use disorders sometimes occur together. Many individuals who develop substance use disorders are also diagnosed with mental disorders, and vice versa. However, addiction is more complex than a disease and more complex than a mental health issue.
This is event is FREE and open to the public.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement on his support for H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act:
"I voted for this legislation because it provides a critical expansion of medication-assisted treatment for individuals who struggle with opioid dependency by expanding the types and number of medical providers who have the authority to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid dependency. I am also pleased that my bipartisan legislation was included in the final bill.
WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) advanced legislation that would provide access to inpatient treatment services for pregnant and postpartum women as they receive treatment for opioid dependency. The bill passed unanimously by voice vote in the Energy and Commerce Committee.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) released the following statement on the 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Act:
"I supported this omnibus bill, which represents a clear and final rejection of President Trump's flawed budget. It includes funding for critical areas, including infrastructure, election protection, scientific research, and treatment for opioid addiction. It also gives our military servicemen and women a well-deserved raise.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) released the following statement on President Trump's opioid plan.
"This public health crisis has touched every state, community, and Congressional district. Individuals who suffer from dependency need fewer empty words and more adequate funding for scientific research and treatment options. It is logically impossible to accept all 56 recommendations of the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis without an increase in funding.
WASHINGTON, DC - I was disappointed in the President's address tonight. Once again, President Trump has failed to unite the country and offer Congress tangible policy proposals that would actually grow our economy. I am ready and willing to work with my Republican colleagues to rebuild and repair our infrastructure, grow our economy, and combat the opioid epidemic. But I did not hear the President discuss how he would achieve these goals without burdening our children with future debt.
WASHINGTON, DC - Last week, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) called on President Trump to take further action to combat the opioid epidemic. In a letter signed by 67 Members of Congress, Foster asked that the President declare the epidemic a national emergency and request full funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Public Health Emergency Fund.
WASHINGTON, DC - The opioid crisis touches every community in the United States, including my district in Illinois. To stop it, we need multifaceted solutions. The report's broad and inclusive recommendations provide a good blueprint for action. If President Trump and his administration are serious about ending this crisis, they must invest in treatment programs, medical research, and science funding to help individuals who suffer from opioid dependency.