On the Issues
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COMBATING DRUG ADDICTION Addiction to drugs is a dreadful plague on our society, and the goal of ridding society of the scourge of illegal drugs is worthy of our best efforts. Drug abuse takes a severe toll on all of us, especially the innocent victims of drug-related crime. The social, health and economic costs of heroin addiction in this country are staggering. That's why Senator Levin worked hard to win Senate passage of bipartisan legislation that would enable qualified physicians, under strict conditions, to prescribe and dispense from their private offices - rather than centralized clinics - new anti-addiction medications that suppress the craving for heroin. Senator Levin's bill, the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000, focuses on increasing the availability and effectiveness of drug treatment. The legislation was included as Title 35 in the Children's Health Act, which was signed into law (Public Law 106-319) by President Clinton on October 17, 2000. It permits the office-based use of new anti-addiction medications such as buprenorphine, which has proven to be extraordinarily effective in clinical trials in combating heroin addiction by blocking the craving for heroin. Under this law, buprenorphine can be prescribed and dispensed by appropriately qualified physicians from an office-based setting. In October 2002, the Food and Drug Administration approved buprenorphine. This was the culmination of a decade long battle to find new means of combating drug addiction, without the limitation of methadone and centralized clinics. In Senator Levin's discussions with individuals and families all across this country, it is apparent that the public is very supportive of the use of buprenorphine and the law allowing for such treatment in the privacy of a physician's office, rather than in centralized clinics. The American people and the Congress realize that this approach will make a significant contribution to our ability to provide safe, effective and accessible treatment methods in addressing the major problem of heroin addiction. This new office-based system, along with the availability of buprenorphine, will open the door to treatment to tens of thousands of individuals. For information about qualified treatment physicians in your area, buprenorphine physician training and answers to frequently asked questions about buprenorphine, go to: http://buprenorphine.samhsa.gov/. |
Combating Drug Addiction
Addiction to drugs is a dreadful plague on our society, and the goal of ridding society of the scourge of illegal drugs is worthy of our best efforts. more >
Gun Safety
According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, nearly 80 people a day die in the United States from gun-related suicides, homicides and unintentional injuries. Congress needs to do its part by closing the gun show loophole. more >
Hate Crimes
In the 107th Congress, a procedural vote prevented the Senate from considering the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, otherwise known as the hate crimes bill. The efforts to block the bill's consideration were particularly disappointing because there is bipartisan support in the Senate for passing hate crimes legislation. more >
Money Laundering
Money laundering helps terrorists, drug traffickers, and other criminals to disguise dirty money, move funds and carry out criminal acts. Senator Levin has been a leader in the Senate efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering laws and procedures to prevent terrorists and other criminals from using our financial systems against us. more >
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