Clark leads House discussion ahead of opioid-related votes, highlights local stories
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Katherine Clark led a bipartisan special order hour Tuesday evening as the U.S. House begins consideration of bills to address the opioid crisis. Clark urged both sides to put away partisan differences and work together to save lives. The U.S. House will consider three of Clark’s bills aimed at preventing opioid overdoses and ensuring safe care for families with infants born suffering from opioid exposure. Clark urged the importance of learning from the stories of families who have been affected by the opioid crisis. She began the evening by highlighting the story of one of her constituents who lost her son to opioid use disorders.
“At the center of this debate are the families at home who speak out and bravely share their stories so that no other parent has to endure the pain of losing their child,” said Clark.
The U.S. House will consider 3 of Clark’s bills this week:
The Reducing Unused Medications Act: allows prescriptions for opioid medications to be partially filled by pharmacists at the request of patients or doctors, reducing the number of unused painkillers. More than 70 percent of adults who misuse prescription opioids get them from friends or relatives, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Lali's Law: increases availability of life-saving Naloxone.
Infant Plan of Safe Care Improvement Act: provides safe care plans for infants and mothers affected by substance use disorders and helps ensure they get the help they need.
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