The Burlington County Times. By: David Levinsky. 

Another South Jersey congressman is taking on a leadership role in the fight against the national heroin and opioid addiction crisis.

Rep. Donald Norcross, D-1st of Camden, was named to the new position of vice chairman of the House's Bipartisan Heroin Task Force on Wednesday. He will help lead the group with Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd of Toms River, who has served as co-chairman of the task force since January, along with Democrat Annie Kuster, of New Hampshire. Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, of Pennsylvania, was also appointed vice chairman Wednesday.

"Addiction is a disease — not a personal failure. We must come together, end the stigma and help those suffering," said Norcross, who is serving his second House term. "Addressing this growing crisis is not a red or blue issue; it's a national health and national security issue. The soaring rise in deaths, fueled by heroin and prescription painkillers, now kills more Americans than car crashes, guns, terrorism or war. Our Bipartisan Heroin Task Force is rightfully working together to curb this terrible epidemic, and I look forward to helping to lead the discussion as vice chair."

Norcross also serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and as both an assistant whip and member of the Democrats' Steering and Policy and Communications committees.

A former electrician and union leader, Norcross is also a founding member of the bipartisan Building Trades Caucus.

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