Praise for Congress on Passing Bipartisan Opioid Legislation

Praise for Congress on Passing Bipartisan Opioid Legislation

The law enforcement, business, retired military, faith, and elite athletics leaders of Council for a Strong America applaud Congress’ efforts to support children and families impacted by the opioid epidemic

Washington, D.C. – Council for a Strong America, an organization made up of more than 10,000 leaders representing five powerful pillars of society, applauds Congress on passing the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6) which prioritizes programs and services that support American families impacted by the national opioid epidemic.

In June of 2018, more than 1,300 police chiefs, sheriffs and prosecutors of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids authored a letter to Congress outlining the policies and programs that help care for the youngest victims of the opioid epidemic, including babies that are born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act answers this call by encouraging the sharing of best practices to better inform treatment of babies and mothers struggling with addiction at the time of birth.

The legislation also includes provisions to strengthen plans of safe care – collaborative plans developed between medical professionals, child welfare services, substance abuse treatment agencies, and other community partners to ensure the family is connected to needed services and kept in tact when possible.

Importantly, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act calls for the development of a task force to disseminate best practices around trauma-informed care, and to create grant programs to integrate trauma-informed care into schools. This is a critical measure in mitigating the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) children may suffer as a byproduct of parental substance abuse.

“Fighting the opioid epidemic will require efforts from all corners of society and the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act helps connect law enforcement, schools, social services, healthcare, and government agencies to rally around this national crisis,” said Chief Mike Brown of Salt Lake City Police Department and a member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids’ National Leadership Council. “This legislation also provides support for many of the forgotten victims of this epidemic, including children and families of substance abusers. Supporting our youngest, and often forgotten, victims will help us ensure this crisis does not carry on into future generations. I applaud Congress for passing this comprehensive legislation and helping to provide a social support network that wraps around these victims.”

Council for a Strong America is a national, bipartisan organization made up of more than 10,000 leaders in law enforcement, business, retired military, faith, and elite athletics who advocate for the policies and programs that strengthen our nation and support at-risk kids.