Support for Chronic Pain Patients
I just received this letter from one of our senators from Arkansas who does not care or support any resolutions to the suffering of chronic pain patients. Please read. Rally the representatives from your state to see who actually cares about pain patients and the lack of care that we have received. Our rights as humans are being violated. We need a government that works for all Americans, not just a few.
Thank you for contacting to express your thoughts on the opioid crisis. It is good to hear from you on this important issue.
Our country is currently grappling with the very serious consequences of the escalating opioid epidemic. Decades of over prescribinghighly addictive opiates has triggered the cycle of addiction for millions of Americans. As tolerance for opiates grow, patients turn into drug abusers as many seek to elicit the same desired high through heroin and fentanyl which is being smuggled in viaChina and Mexico. Over the past year, overdose deaths from both legal and illegal opioids are up 137 percent in the United States. The significant increase in addiction rates makes it even more clear that we must come together to find solutions to this mountingproblem.
Everyone has a role to play in our effort to turn the tide on this negative trend. Along with ensuring that the programs authorized by the landmark Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act receive funding, the Senate has worked to pass legislation that aims to provide medical professionals with the ability to seek treatment therapies that do not threaten the recovery process for those who havestruggled with opioid addiction. Additionally, I am very supportive of “Drug Tack-Back Days” that aid in the collection old and unneeded prescription drugs to be disposed of responsibility. To date, these events across the country have resulted in the removalof over 4.86 million pounds of prescription medications from circulation. These efforts, combined with increased efforts to stop illegal drugs coming across our boarder, are all necessary and important steps to address this pressing problem.
As you may know, on October 26, 2017, President Trump declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergencyand directed the executive government to "use every appropriate emergency authority" to fight the crisis. This declaration is a crucial step which will allow for expedited hiring of personnel,expanded access to telemedicine services, and increased flexibility in the use of grant money to combat the epidemic. From Washington to your community, Americans are unitedin the effort to curb opioid abuse. Together, we can keep our communities’ safe and save lives.
Innovative, effective approaches are necessary to address the ever-evolving opioid crisis. One thing is certain—inaction is not an option. Please be assured that I will continue work with the Presidentand my colleagues in Congress to combat the influx of illegal opioids and narcotics while providing the help to those suffering from drug dependence.
Again, thank you for contacting me to share your views. Please visit www.boozman.senate.gov tosign up for my e-newsletter,request assistance witha federal agency, or learnmore about my efforts on behalf of the people of Arkansas. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Sincerely,
John Boozman
U.S. Senator
Thank you for contacting to express your thoughts on the opioid crisis. It is good to hear from you on this important issue.
Our country is currently grappling with the very serious consequences of the escalating opioid epidemic. Decades of over prescribinghighly addictive opiates has triggered the cycle of addiction for millions of Americans. As tolerance for opiates grow, patients turn into drug abusers as many seek to elicit the same desired high through heroin and fentanyl which is being smuggled in viaChina and Mexico. Over the past year, overdose deaths from both legal and illegal opioids are up 137 percent in the United States. The significant increase in addiction rates makes it even more clear that we must come together to find solutions to this mountingproblem.
Everyone has a role to play in our effort to turn the tide on this negative trend. Along with ensuring that the programs authorized by the landmark Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act receive funding, the Senate has worked to pass legislation that aims to provide medical professionals with the ability to seek treatment therapies that do not threaten the recovery process for those who havestruggled with opioid addiction. Additionally, I am very supportive of “Drug Tack-Back Days” that aid in the collection old and unneeded prescription drugs to be disposed of responsibility. To date, these events across the country have resulted in the removalof over 4.86 million pounds of prescription medications from circulation. These efforts, combined with increased efforts to stop illegal drugs coming across our boarder, are all necessary and important steps to address this pressing problem.
As you may know, on October 26, 2017, President Trump declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergencyand directed the executive government to "use every appropriate emergency authority" to fight the crisis. This declaration is a crucial step which will allow for expedited hiring of personnel,expanded access to telemedicine services, and increased flexibility in the use of grant money to combat the epidemic. From Washington to your community, Americans are unitedin the effort to curb opioid abuse. Together, we can keep our communities’ safe and save lives.
Innovative, effective approaches are necessary to address the ever-evolving opioid crisis. One thing is certain—inaction is not an option. Please be assured that I will continue work with the Presidentand my colleagues in Congress to combat the influx of illegal opioids and narcotics while providing the help to those suffering from drug dependence.
Again, thank you for contacting me to share your views. Please visit www.boozman.senate.gov tosign up for my e-newsletter,request assistance witha federal agency, or learnmore about my efforts on behalf of the people of Arkansas. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Sincerely,
John Boozman
U.S. Senator
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