Addictions to opioids and other drugs have devastated rural, suburban, and urban communities all across America. As our leaders reshape how we address drug addictions through criminal justice reform, we must also reshape how we treat drug addictions to make sure that those who suffer from addiction have access to the care they need. That’s why I support the ^[1]CARE Act of 2019, introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Elijah Cummings. ^[2]In 2017, more than 70,000 people died of drug-related overdoses. Of those, approximately 47,600 of the deaths involved opioids. From 2016 to 2017, the State of Indiana saw a 22.5% increase in drug overdose deaths. The CARE Act would provide critical funding to states, territories, tribal governments, local governments and nonprofit programs to fund innovative treatment programs, expand access to naloxone, and promote key research and training for health care staff. While there is no immediate action that can solve the opioid epidemic overnight, more treatment, fewer painkiller prescriptions, and policies that address the root cause of addiction, such as the corrupting role of money in health care, including the pharmaceutical industry, mental health issues and poverty are critical toward making progress. Current programs provide an insufficient amount of resources to providers on the ground. The CARE Act authorizes resources for 10 years, providing local communities with critical resources to address the addiction crisis.

^[1] https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/5/8/18535959/elizabeth-warren-opioid-epidemic-2020-democratic-campaigns-trump

^[2] https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-summaries-by-state/indiana-opioid-summary

^[3] https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1804