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Dec 13, 2023 | Blog Posts

Support for Patients and Communities Affected by Substance Abuse

My bipartisan bill just passed to help save lives!  Here’s what you need to know ⬇️ 

Communities across the country continue to struggle with how to deal with the opioid epidemic. Too many Iowans know a family member or friend who is dealing with an addiction to opioids.  

Fatal overdoses due to opioids are on the rise:  

  • In 2021, drug overdose deaths exceeded homicides by more than 300%.  
  • Each day, more than 150 people die from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.  
  • In 2021, there were 398 deaths due to overdose in Iowa. 

We must do more to stop the flow of illegal drugs into this country, and we also need to help those suffering from addiction now.  

Today, we passed my bipartisan Communities of Recovery Reauthorization Act to enhance support for community organizations that help people recover from addiction!  

 

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Even with this big win for promoting safety in our community, there is still more work to do. We must start by securing our Southern Border to halt illicit drugs before they flow into our community. We can also do more to prevent deaths, including passing my bill to expand access to naloxone.