CHERRY HILL, NJ – Following the Senate’s passage of legislation to help combat the opioid epidemic that included provisions Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) authored and supported, Norcross applauded the progress and called for additional Congressional action.

Most notably, a version of Norcross’ bipartisan Jobs Plus Recovery Act, which includes job training in drug addiction recovery programs, moved forward.

“Every single day, at least one person in my district alone is dying from the disease of addiction, and we need to do everything we can to help the hundreds of thousands of Americans struggling,” said Congressman Donald Norcross, Vice-Chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic. “As our loved ones work hard to recover, we should make sure they have the support they need to hold good-paying jobs and contribute to their communities. By including job training in the recovery process, we are investing in our friends, neighbors, sons and daughters when they need us most, and our economy will be stronger as a result.”

He added: “While it’s good that Congress is taking steps to help, I know that we must do more to save lives. Leaders in Congress and the Administration should advance the whole suite of bills supported by the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force because one preventable death is too many.”

The Senate-passed legislation also contained versions of bills that are part of the Bipartisan Task Force’s 2018 legislative agenda, including:

• The Addiction Treatment Access Improvement Act, which facilitates the use of Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) by repealing existing limits on how many patients doctors can treat with MAT.
• The CRIB Act, which would establish residential pediatric care centers within Medicaid to treat babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome caused by exposure to opioids during pregnancy.
• The Synthetic Drug Awareness Act, which requires a report to Congress on the public health effects of the rise in synthetic drug use among youth ages 12 to 18.

Recent, Related Content

• On June 4, 2018, Norcross recognized Kennedy Health’s work to help those struggling with the disease of addiction.
• On May 8, 2018, Norcross introduced the bipartisan Jobs Plus Recovery Act, which incorporates job training into drug addiction recovery programs.
• On April 26, 2018, Norcross applauded theHouse Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee’s passage of opioid legislation.
• On April 23, 2018, Norcross and three other members of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force,introduced the STOP Fentanyl Deaths Act.
• On March 16, 2018, the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force urged Congress to protect the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)’s budget and keep its funding to at least current levels.
• On March 15, 2018, the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force urged Congress to provide expanded funding for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.
• On February 12, 2018, the leaders of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force released a statement against cuts to the ONDCP in President Trump’s budget request.
• On February 2, 2018, the leaders of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force called on Congressional leaders to support funding for the opioid epidemic public health emergency.
• On January 10, 2018, the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force released its legislative agenda for 2018.
• On December 21, 2017, Norcross voted against the short-term continuing resolution, saying, “[it] ignores the needs of… those struggling with the disease of addiction.”
• On October 26, 2017, Norcross issued a statement as President Donald Trump declared the opioid epidemic a ‘public health emergency.’
• On October 20, 2017, the leaders of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force wrote to President Trump urging him to follow through on his commitment to declare the opioid epidemic a national emergency.
• On September 28, 2017, the leaders of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force wrote a joint op-ed in The Hill calling on the White House to formally declare the opioid crisis a national emergency.
• On August 23, 2017, Norcross wrote an op-ed in the South Jersey Times on the disease of addiction, calling for action.
• On August 10, 2017, the leaders of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force both called for immediate action to address the opioid epidemic and reacted to the President’s remarks on the epidemic.
• On August 8, 2017, Norcross announced the Improve Addiction Education Act and the leaders of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force wrote a letter to President Trump calling for action to address the opioid epidemic.
• On July 26, 2017, Norcross’ provision to help veterans struggling with the disease of addiction is included in the House appropriations bill. 
• On July 20, 2017, Norcross hosts a Community Conversation on the Disease of Addiction in Williamstown, NJ.
• On June 27, 2017, the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force released its legislative agenda for the 115^th Congress. 

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Contact: Ally Kehoe, Communications Director
ally.kehoe@mail.house.gov