Opioid and Heroin Crisis

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OVERVIEW – THE NATIONAL OPIOID & HEROIN EPIDEMIC

Our country is facing a nationwide epidemic of prescription drug, heroin and opioid abuse causing drastic increases in addiction rates, overdose deaths, and incarceration. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the amount of prescription painkillers dispensed in the U.S. has quadrupled since 1999 – even though there has not been an overall change in the amount of pain that Americans report over the past several years. The Department of Health and Human Services reports that 2.1 million people had an opioid use disorder in 2016, and over 42,000 deaths from an opioid overdose.

The scourge of opioid abuse and addiction is widespread throughout the nation with rural, suburban, and urban communities all feeling the impacts. This epidemic knows no race, gender, or economic boundaries as families and friends cope with loved ones struggling to overcome addiction. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Third District are no stranger to this debilitating disease. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, in 2017, there were over 2,000 opioid-related deaths in the Commonwealth.

In my hometown of Lowell alone, there were nearly 50 overdose deaths in 2017. And, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, from 2000 – 2015, there were over 11,000 deaths from opioid-related overdoses among residents of Massachusetts.


MY WORK TO ADDRESS THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC

I believe the federal government must act to support communities grappling with this epidemic. I have met with families who have lost loved ones or are supporting loved ones battling addiction, law enforcement officials, our district attorneys, public health and nonprofit organizations offering treatment services, and other stakeholders who are all focused on reversing the disturbing trends. These conversations have led me to weigh in with the Administration, to introduce legislation, and to cosponsor bills that I think will help us better support those battling addiction and provide the needed resources to our cities and towns grappling with the effects of this epidemic. It’s also why I joined the Congressional Bipartisan Taskforce to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, co-chaired by Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH) and Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH).  

Introduced Legislation

H.R. 2142 -- INTERDICT Act

I introduced bipartisan legislation with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) titled the International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology (INTERDICT) Act. This legislation equips the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with additional chemical screening devices to detect synthetic opioids or narcotics that are trafficked into the United States. It also provides CBP with the resources, personnel, and facilities necessary to interpret these screening tests from the field. This bill was signed into law by President Trump in January 2018.

H.R. 982 – The Reforming and Expanding Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act

In February 2017, I introduced bipartisan legislation with Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH) and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-OH), The Reforming and Expanding Access to Treatment (TREAT) Act. This legislation would increase flexibility in how existing federal funding can be used to combat the heroin epidemic for those who are incarcerated. This legislation was originally introduced in 2015.

Cosponsored Legislation

H.R. 953 – Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act
I was an early cosponsor of bipartisan legislation, H.R. 953, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). Among many provisions, this legislation authorizes additional prevention and education efforts, expands the availability of naloxone to first responders, authorizes additional resources to treat incarcerated individuals, includes efforts to assist in the disposal of unwanted prescription medications, strengthens prescription drug monitoring programs, and looks to start evidence-based opioid and heroin treatment and intervention programs. The Senate version of this legislation was signed into law by President Obama in July 2016.

H.R. 1462 – Protecting Our Infants Act
This legislation, introduced by Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA), will help hospitals diagnose and treat newborns suffering from opiate exposure. This legislation was signed into law by President Obama in November 2015. Read more here.

Legislation Considered by House

In May 2016, the House of Representatives voted on several pieces of legislation that seek to address the nation’s growing opiate crisis. I supported each of these bills, including one to create a Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force to review, modify and update medical best practices for pain management and prescribing pain medication. The task force would include federal government officials, state medical boards, various health care groups and actual patients. I also supported legislation which would create two new grant programs at the Department of Justice, one specifically to assist veterans, and another for state, local and tribal governments.

While these bills were a positive step forward, we also need new resources that can support meaningful change, help people get treatment whether incarcerated or on the street, and stop the rising death toll from overdoses.

Two bills in particular, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (S. 524/ H.R. 953) and the 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 34) authorized funding to help combat the opioid epidemic. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act allocated over $120 million in funding to support programs within the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice. The 21st Century Cures Act granted $500 million each year for the purpose of awarding states with grants to address the opioid crisis in FY 2017 and FY 2018. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has pledged that it will maintain this grant funding in accordance with the 21st Century Cures Act for FY2018, States may use these funds to combat the opioid epidemic, including training health care practitioners, supporting access to health care services, implementing prevention strategies, and improving prescription drug monitoring programs in the state.

In October 2017, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed my bill, the INTERDICT Act, which provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection has the latest tools required to stop synthetic opioids, arming them with the modern equipment and the resources required to improve their ability to keep these harmful substances out of our country. This legislation became law in January 2018. You can read about my visit to the White House for the bill signing here.


Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision on OxyContin for Children

I am extremely concerned with the Food and Drug Administration’sdecision to issue new labeling guidelines for the use of the powerful opioid prescription painkiller OxyContin by children as young as 11. While I understand that FDA’s goal was to give doctors better guidelines on how to use OxyContin safely in pediatric patients, I believe that the flawed methodology used to arrive at this decision, as well as FDA’s actual guidance, may actually encourage the expanded use of opioids among a population who are at an even greater risk of addiction.

Based on these concerns, in December 2015, I sent a letter to the FDA requesting that it reconsider the decision and instead allow an Advisory Committee to gather public input and expert testimony before making an official recommendation.  Fourteen other members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, signed onto my letter. 

Read a copy of this letter here.

Based on the response my office received from the FDA, I sent a follow-up letter asking for greater transparency from the FDA on how manufacturers collect and disclose data regarding OxyContin prescriptions to children.

Read a copy of this letter here.


Staying Engaged In Our Community

Middlesex Opioid Task Force

In July 2015, the Middlesex Opioid Task Force held its inaugural meeting and has strived to combat the increase in drug overdoses in Middlesex County. In these meetings, regional partners including law enforcement, public health officials, social & human services, and local elected officials share information and best practices on how they are handling the opioid crisis and discuss how they can work together. My office has been a regular attendee of these task force meetings in order to stay up-to-date on local efforts and be a strategic federal partner.

Lowell House

In November 2015, I visited the Lowell House, a local treatment center in Lowell.. Here, I had the opportunity to speak with residents there of all ages, ranging from age 18 to age 73, and learn more about their experiences as well as how our work could better support them. The Lowell House has a 70% success rate for residents in remaining sober after entering treatment. Learn more about my visit here.

I also recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lowell House in recognition of my efforts to address the opioid crisis.Read more here.

More information about the Lowell House can be found here.

 

MEDIA

Below please find a small sample of media clips that discuss the opioids issue in detail, as well as Congresswoman Tsongas' work to combat the opioid epidemic.

Mass Live: President Donald Trump signs US Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Niki Tsongas’ bill to cut down on opioid trafficking

January 11, 2018

https://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/01/president_donald_trump_signs_u.html

Lowell Sun: At bill-signing, Tsongas urges Trump to focus on opioids, not marijuana

January 11, 2018

http://www.lowellsun.com/breakingnews/ci_31586603/at-bill-signing-tsongas-urges-trump-focus-opioids

Lowell Sun: Tsongas bill aims to stem the flow of deadly fentanyl

July 11, 2017

http://www.lowellsun.com/opinion/ci_31130713/tsongas-bill-aims-stem-flow-deadly-fentanyl

Fox25: Congresswoman praises Lowell addiction recovery home
June 1, 2016

https://tsongas.house.gov/niki-in-the-news/fox25-congresswoman-praises-lowell-addiction-recovery-home/
 

Lowell Sun: Stories of strength mark Lowell House celebration
April 4, 2016

https://tsongas.house.gov/niki-in-the-news/sun-stories-of-strength-mark-lowell-house-celebration/
 

MetroWest Daily News: Tsongas wants expansion of prison drug-treatment programs
Nov. 19, 2015

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20151119/news/151115074


Lowell Sun: Getting addicts the help they need goal of Tsongas’ legislation
Nov. 21, 2015

http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_29148338/getting-addicts-help-they-need-goal-tsongas-legislation


Cape Cod Times: From incarceration to treatment
Dec. 5, 2015

http://www.capecodtimes.com/article/20151205/OPINION/151209749

 

Eagle Tribune: Moulton, Tsongas among Congress members urging FDA to reconsider OxyContin
Dec. 22, 2015

http://www.eagletribune.com/news/moulton-tsongas-among-congress-members-urging-fda-to-reconsider-oxycontin/article_1aabc364-a8cd-11e5-9764-cf583bb68498.html

 

WGBH: FDA Approval of OxyContin for Kids Raises Bay State Addiction Concerns
Dec. 24, 2015

https://news.wgbh.org/post/fda-approval-oxycontin-kids-raises-bay-state-addiction-concerns


LOCAL RESOURCES

If you have questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office. You can call: 202-225-3411. And if this is an emergency, call 911.

Below please find several organizations and websites that provide information and assistance on opioids-related matters.

 

Statewide

Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Helpline

(800) 327-5050

https://helplinema.org/

 

Al-Anon and Alateen Family Groups of Massachusetts

(508) 366-0556

http://ma-al-anon-alateen.org/

 

Veterans Addiction

Montachusett Veteran’s Outreach Center

Gardner

(978) 632-9601  

http://www.veterans-outreach.org/

 

Veterans Center for Addiction

(781) 687-2275

www.bedford.va.gov/Mentalhealth/index.asp

 

 

Merrimack Valley (Lowell/Lawrence/Haverhill area)

Greater Lowell Health Alliance

Lowell

(978) 934-8368

http://www.greaterlowellhealthalliance.org/

 

Lahey Health Behavioral Services

Lowell, Haverhill, and Lawrence areas

(978) 98-1700

http://www.nebhealth.org/

 

Lowell Community Health Center

Lowell

Office-Based Addiction Treatment Program (OBAT) - (978) 322-8848

Prevention and Screening Services Program (PASS) - (978) 221-6767

(978) 441-1700

http://www.lchealth.org/

 

Megan’s House

Lowell

(978) 455-6973

http://themeganhouse.org/

 

Lowell House Inc.

Based in Lowell, serves all communities in the Merrimack Valley

(978) 459-8656

http://lowellhouseinc.org/

 

The Psychological Center

Lawrence

(978) 291-2262

http://psychologicalcenter.com/

 

Serenity at Summit

Haverhill

(978) 574-5999

https://www.serenityatsummit.com/

 

Greater Lawrence Family Health Center

Haverhill, Lawrence, and Methuen areas

(978) 686-0090

http://glfhc.org/

 

Spectrum Health Systems

Outpatient Services: (800) 464-9555
Inpatient Services: (800) 366-7732

Haverhill, Lawrence, Marlborough

http://www.spectrumhealthsystems.org/

 

Team Coordinating Agency, Inc.

Haverhill

(978) 373-3333

http://www.nfima.org/

 

South Bay Community Services

Lawrence and Lowell

(508) 521-2200

http://www.southbaycommunityservices.com/

 

Holy Family Hospital

Haverhill

(978) 374-2000

Methuen

(978) 687-0151

https://www.holyfamily-hospital.org/

 

 

MetroWest/North Central (Marlborough/Fitchburg/Gardner)

Community Healthlink

Worcester - (508) 860-1000

Fitchburg - (978) 401-3970

Clinton - (978) 368-0181

Leominster - (978) 534-6116

www.communityhealthlink.org

 

New England Recovery Center

Westborough

(844) 233-6372

https://www.newenglandtreatmentcenter.com/

 

Emerson Hospital Addiction Services

Concord

(978) 369-1400

www.emersonhospital.org

 

GAAMH Inc.

Gardner

(978) 632-0934

http://www.gaamha.com/

 

McLean at Naukeag Residential Program

Ashburnham

(800) 230-8764

https://www.mcleanhospital.org/programs/ambulatory-treatment-center-naukeag

 

GAAMHA - Pathway House

Gardner

(978) 632-4574

 

Advocates

Harvard - (978) 772-1846

Marlborough - (508) 485-9300

http://www.advocates.org/

 

LUK Crisis Center

Fitchburg

(978) 345-0685

http://luk.org/

 

Spring Hill Recovery

Ashby

(978) 216-4674

http://www.springhillrecovery.com/

 

Multicultural Wellness Center

Worcester

(508) 752-4665

http://www.multiculturalwellness.org/

 

Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council

Marlborough

(508) 480-0092

http://www.smoc.org/addiction-services.php

 

The Recovery Connection

Marlborough

(508) 485-0298

http://therecoveryconnection.org/

 

Fitchburg Comprehensive Treatment Center

Fitchburg

(855) 220-6812

http://www.fitchburgctc.com/

 

CRC Health

Lowell, Lawrence, and Fitchburg

(877) 637-3237

http://www.crchealth.com/

 

Addiction Referral Center

Marlborough

(508) 485-4357

http://www.theaddictionreferralcenter.com/