(Washington, DC) –Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Congressman Tom MacArthur (NJ-03), co-chairs of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, joined by members of the Task force, wrote to relevant House Appropriations Subcommittees to call for funding in Fiscal Year 2018 for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). CARA focuses on addressing the opioid addiction epidemic through support for law enforcement, prevention, expansion of evidence-based treatment, and recovery services. However, CARA must be fully funded to effectively support those on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic.

“As you know, the opioid epidemic is having a devastating impact on public health and safety across the United States,” wrote the Task Force co-chairs. “According to the CDC, drug overdoses now surpass automobile accidents as the leading cause of injury-related death for Americans aged 25 to 64. More than 144 Americans die as a result of overdose every day. While addiction is a treatable disease, only about ten percent of those who need treatment get it.”

The letter specifically outlines the following funding requests:

• Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act, $115 million
• Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, $60 million
• Financial Services Appropriations Act, $5 million

The full text of the letter is available below and here.

March 29, 2017

Hon. John Culberson, Chairman                                             Hon. José Serrano, Ranking Member

Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science,                      Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science,

and Related Agencies                                                             and Related Agencies

House Committee on Appropriations                                     House Committee on Appropriations

H-305, The Capitol                                                                 1016 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515                                                          Washington DC 20515

Hon. Tom Cole, Chairman                                                      Hon. Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member

Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education                             Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education

and Related Agencies                                                             and Related Agencies

House Committee on Appropriations                                     House Committee on Appropriations

H-305, The Capitol                                                                 1016 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515                                                          Washington DC 20515

Hon. Tom Graves, Chairman                                                  Hon. Mike Quigley, Ranking Member

Subcommittee on Financial Services                                      Subcommittee on Financial Services

and General Government                                                        and General Government

House Committee on Appropriations                                     House Committee on Appropriations

H-305, The Capitol                                                                 1016 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515                                                           Washington DC 20515

Dear Chairmen and Ranking Members:

As you know, the opioid epidemic is having a devastating impact on public health and safety across the United States. According to the CDC, drug overdoses now surpass automobile accidents as the leading cause of injury-related death for Americans aged 25 to 64. More than 144 Americans die as a result of overdose every day. While addiction is a treatable disease, only about ten percent of those who need treatment get it.

That is why we are writing to express our strong support for funding in FY18 for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), authorized in three subcommittees:

• Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act, $115 million
• Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, $60 million
• Financial Services Appropriations Act, $5 million

We know from researchers, the law enforcement community, and treatment providers that the most effective way to address the challenges posed by addiction is to initiate a comprehensive response to the twin epidemics of opioid and heroin addiction.  Designed to respond both to today’s heroin and opiate epidemic and tomorrow’s threats, this bill is a comprehensive response to substance use disorders that includes prevention, law enforcement strategies, addressing overdoses, expansion of evidence-based treatment, and support for those in, or seeking, recovery. 

Among other provisions, CARA would expand:

• Prevention and educational efforts—particularly aimed at teens, parents and other caretakers, and aging populations—to prevent the abuse of opioids and heroin.
• The availability of naloxone to law enforcement agencies and other first responders. 
• Treatment -- resources to promptly identify and treat individuals suffering from addiction disorders in the criminal justice system.
• Disposal sites for unwanted prescription medications to keep them out of the hands of our children and adolescents.
• Evidence-based addiction treatment and intervention programs to expand best practices throughout the country.
• Medication assisted treatment demonstrations nationwide.
• Veterans Treatment Courts to expand evidence-based treatment and peer-to-peer services. 

As you begin consideration of the FY2018 appropriations bill, we hope that you will recognize the significance of the epidemic in our midst and support the comprehensive framework of CARA.  Doing so would provide the resources and incentives necessary for states and local governments to expand treatment, prevention, and recovery efforts for the millions of Americans who are affected by addiction.

Only through a comprehensive approach that leverages evidence-based law enforcement and health care services, including treatment – like that clearly articulated by the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act – can we stop and reverse current trends.

Thank you for your consideration of this important funding request.

Sincerely,