Concord, NH – This afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement applauding passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) in the Senate. This legislation, which was co-sponsored by Senators Shaheen and Ayotte, would authorize vital new funding and programs to address the heroin epidemic in New Hampshire and across the country.

“While I was disappointed Senator Shaheen’s emergency funding amendment was rejected by the Senate last week, I’m encouraged by the Senate’s passage of CARA, which will take us in a positive direction towards finally addressing the opioid epidemic that is currently devastating our communities. Every day, New Hampshire risks losing another life to opioid addiction, and the state simply does not have enough resources to meet this challenge head on.”

“We must ensure not only that every individual struggling with addiction can access the care, support, and life-long treatment they need, but also that our treatment providers, medical professionals, and law enforcement officials are adequately funded in order to provide that care – and get these drugs off our streets. As co-founder of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, I am pushing for swift passage of this legislation, and I will be leading a letter to the House Appropriations Committee requesting additional funding to end this crisis. We must come together to help our communities fight back against the powerful pull of addiction.”

As addiction to opioids has risen dramatically across the Granite State, Kuster has helped lead efforts to address the crisis by holding regional briefings to hear directly from local community members, and by highlighting the issue at the federal level through her work in Congress. Last year, Kuster helped introduce bipartisan legislation that aims to attack the epidemic from a number of different angles, including through increased grant funding and improved coordination among federal agencies. As co-founder of a Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, Kuster brings together experts from federal agencies to coordinate efforts to fight the epidemic. She has also attended ride-alongs with law enforcement officials in Nashua, Keene, and Franklin, providing her with a direct look at the challenges facing law enforcement and local communities. These experiences help Kuster continue to push her fellow Members of Congress to support important measures to bring an end to opioid abuse in New Hampshire.

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