Hudson Applauds Cabarrus County's Response to Opioid Epidemic

CONCORD, N.C. – Today U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement applauding Cabarrus County Government and Cabarrus Health Alliance for their commitment to combatting the opioid epidemic and announcing a full Energy and Commerce Committee hearing to examine the federal response:

As a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Hudson has made it a top priority to work with local officials to determine how to improve public health response efforts to prevent and treat prescription drug and heroin abuse. The committee has been leading the charge to help individuals, families and communities impacted by opioid abuse and addiction, and has passed legislation to promote innovative treatment and care, support local officials, prevent addiction in teenagers and adolescents, and turn this crisis around.

The Trump Administration has recently declared the epidemic a national emergency. Rep. Hudson and his colleagues will hold a full committee hearing on the epidemic the week of October 23 to ensure successful implementation of the laws passed last year and to continue to investigate this crisis and identify additional solutions.

In July 2016, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (S. 524), a bipartisan law Rep. Hudson helped champion to tackle America’s opioid epidemic, was signed into law. This important law promotes innovative treatment and care, improves education and prevention, and improves law enforcement efforts, among other provisions. It is recognized by leading national advocates as “the critical response we need.” In addition, Rep. Hudson helped advance the 21^st Century Cures Act which was signed into law last December and included critical resources to fight the opioid epidemic.