Hudson Statement on VA Opioid Epidemic
January 2, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2017
Hudson Statement on VA Opioid Epidemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement in response to the Wall Street Journal’sreport on veterans and opioid addiction in Fayetteville, N.C.:
“Make no mistake, there are many dedicated people at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center who work hard to care for our veterans. However, this report shines a light on an alarming and unacceptable problem here and across the country. The VA has failed veterans struggling with opioid addiction. With inadequate care and obstacles to the road to recovery, too many veterans end up homeless, in jail, or worse - dead. I won’t stand for this utter negligence. Whether making sure the VA prioritizes resources for the fastest growing veteran population in Fayetteville or continuing to work with local officials to combat the opioid epidemic, I’m committed to working with the Trump administration to get our veterans the care they deserve.”
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.
In August 2016, Rep. Hudson and Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson held a roundtable discussion at Fayetteville City Hall with the Fayetteville Opioid Task Force to discuss ways to combat the growing prescription drug and opioid abuse crisis, as well as the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (S. 524), a bipartisan law Rep. Hudson helped champion to tackle America’s opioid epidemic. 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.”
Last year, Rep. Hudson helped advance the 21st Century Cures Act which included critical resources to fight the opioid epidemic.
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Issues:Veterans