To tackle the prescription opioid abuse and heroin use epidemic, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) joined Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) in introducing an amendment to enact President Obama’s budget request and provide for approximately $1.1 billion in new funding. The measure has been presented as a revision to the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (S.524), which is being deliberated on by the full Senate.

“When it comes to fighting the growing crisis of opioid abuse that is hurting our families and communities, it’s time for Congress to put its money where its mouth is,” Menendez stated. “That’s what this amendment does by providing the funding and investment our local treatment and healthcare providers, first responders and justice systems need to turn the tide on this epidemic and save lives...”

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