Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, released the following statement on President Trump’s visit to New Hampshire to discuss the opioid epidemic. Kuster has been vocal about the need to prioritize funding to states like New Hampshire that have been hard hit by the opioid crisis and has introduced bipartisan legislationwith Representative Evan Jenkins (R-WV) to incorporate deaths per capita in the formula used to distribute opioid funding. Earlier today, Kuster and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) wrote to President Trump urging him to learn from the innovative programs being undertaken in New Hampshire to address the opioid epidemic. The opioid proposal outlined by the White House includes provisions that reflect legislative items put forward by the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force in the 2018 legislative agenda.

“Today the President once again showed that he’s willing to talk about the opioid epidemic but the real test will be if he is able to put action to his words,” said Kuster. “The opioid proposal outlined by the White House includes provisions that have been advocated by the Bipartisan Congressional Heroin Task Force as well as the President’s own opioid commission and it’s long overdue that the President showed leadership in working with Congress to put these proposals into action. It’s also critical that resources be targeted to states that have been the hardest hit by the crisis and I urge the President to direct the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration to improve its formula for opioid funding distribution.

“I have serious concerns with some aspects of President Trump’s proposal and rhetoric. The constant message I hear in New Hampshire from law enforcement, treatment providers, the recovery community, and others is that we cannot arrest our way out of this crisis.  The Administration should focus on the areas where there is bipartisan support and work with both Republicans and Democrats for the benefit of the Granite State and communities across the country. New Hampshire has been hard hit by substance use disorder but our resilient people and innovative approaches to addressing the opioid epidemic can help lead our state and the entire country toward a better future. I hope the President learned from what he saw in New Hampshire today and will commit to working in a productive manner to stem the spread of addiction.”