WASHINGTON – This week, the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic is holding a panel in Washington to hear from families who have been impacted by heroin addiction.
Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, a member of the task force, is outspoken about the need for prevention and treatment, especially for women.
In a recent column, Rep. Tipton wrote: “Investments in drug abuse prevention programs, outpatient community clinics, and greater coordination between health care, education, and law enforcement professionals at multiple levels” are what works to combat opioid abuse.
Since its formation in October 2015, the task force has championed the passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which was signed into law in July 2016.
The task force was formed to “develop best practices and foster interagency collaboration to address this growing heroin epidemic” according to a news release from Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-New Hampshire.
Shira Stein is an intern for The Durango Herald in Washington, D.C., and a student at American University. Reach her at sstein@durangoherald.com and follow her on Twitter @stein_shira.