WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate held a bipartisan vote to bring a bill to the floor to help take on the growing opioid crisis across America:
“As the opioid crisis has spread throughout America, no corner of our state has been spared. I’ve heard heartbreaking stories from families across Oregon about the devastation that opioid abuse and heroin addiction has brought to their loved ones. Addiction is a disease, and we need to do everything in our power to help Americans successfully combat this challenge. It will take smart and coordinated national action to turn the tide, and I’m pleased that the Senate is bringing legislation to the floor so we can begin the conversation around a comprehensive national strategy to battle this urgent health crisis.”
Recently, Merkley joined with Senator Ron Wyden and Congressman Earl Blumenauer to convene a Portland meeting of experts and Oregonians who have been personally impacted to hear firsthand about the opioid epidemic in Oregon and what can be done to help Oregon communities combat addiction.
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