May 12, 2016

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Collins shared a comprehensive addiction resources toolkit to help families in the Ninth District of Georgia and across the state to address the issues associated with opioid addiction. The guide is now available through the Congressman’s district office in Gainesville, and on the Congressman’s website.

More Americans die every day from drug overdoses than from car accidents – an average of 129 people per day, with six out of 10 deaths related to opioids. And the majority of those who need help with addiction issues are not receiving it. In 2014, only 11 percent of the approximately 22.7 million Americans who needed treatment for substance abuse received it, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Assembled by leading experts in the addiction fields and the Addiction Policy Forum, the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Toolkit, provided by the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, includes resources around prevention, drug treatment, recovery support and general information for families, community organizations, schools, and parents concerned about addiction and looking for support.

Leading national and community organizations contributed to this comprehensive set of resources. They include: the Addiction Policy Forum, Community Anti-Drug Coalition, the National Council, the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, Shatterproof, Faces & Voices of Recovery, Legal Action Center, National Institute of Drug Abuse, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Congressman Collins issued the following statement on these resources for Northeast Georgians, and how the legislation passed by the House today will help people around the country:

 

“So many of our families have been affected by the heroin and opioid epidemic, and far too many don’t know where to turn for help. I am dedicated to working with the families and communities to address the addiction that is impacting so many lives. By providing this comprehensive guide to resources, we hope families will find the support they need to deal with these issues. Today, H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016, passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. This legislation would authorize a comprehensive opioid abuse grant program that encompasses training for first responders and law enforcement, drug courts, residential substance abuse treatment, and criminal investigations for unlawful distribution of opioids. I am glad to see lawmakers understand the seriousness of this issue facing our country, and I hope to see these initiatives enacted so that they can start helping people as soon as possible.”