By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

**Click here to download the audio recording of this week’s column** 

The United States is facing a severe opioid and heroin epidemic. The over-prescribing of painkillers has led to a surge in demand for heroin and other narcotics. This deadly addiction is making its way out of the shadows and into the mainstream. American families are losing sons, daughters, parents, and friends to overdoses and ruined lives. To respond to this national crisis, we need to come together and heal the nation.

In 2014, heroin and prescription opioids were involved in 61 percent of drug overdose deaths. Nebraska is not immune to this tragic trend. The rates of arrests and overdoses have increased in the past several years. A recent story in the Omaha World-Herald detailed the effect these substances are having in our state and how law enforcement is struggling to keep up. The story notes a new and disturbing trend as heroin use has increased in Nebraska’s urban and suburban areas.

Meanwhile, efforts are being made to stop the overprescribing of painkillers. For example, the government has cracked down on “pill mills,” which dispense inordinate amounts of narcotics with little control. We have also seen an uptick in “drug-take-backs” where law enforcement, public health officials, and communities come together to encourage the safe disposal of unwanted prescription medication. Despite these endeavors, addiction still runs rampant in America today. It is present in all 50 states, and it affects people from all ages and backgrounds. Given the pervasiveness of this problem, it’s clear that more must be done.

In the U.S. Senate, we are taking action. Combatting this crisis is an urgent matter. Recently, Republicans and Democrats came together to pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). The bill would provide grants to states and communities to bolster drug abuse education and develop prevention strategies at the local level. CARA would also provide law enforcement with better training and resources, such as the overdose reversal drug naloxone, to fight this crisis and save lives.

As we work to overcome this scourge, we must also take steps to stop the importation of illegal substances into this country. That’s why I joined Senators Dianne Feinstein of California and Chuck Grassley of Iowa to support their amendment, which would provide law enforcement with more authority to stop the shipment of narcotics to the United States. This provision was included in the version of CARA that passed the Senate. The amendment demonstrates the complexities of this issue and the need for a multi-pronged approach to address it. 

CARA is another fine example of the Senate working together to solve problems for the American people. The bill overwhelmingly passed the Senate by a vote of 94 to 1. It was supported by many Nebraskans fighting this crisis on the front lines, and it was endorsed by Nebraska’s medical professionals and law enforcement community.

Passing CARA was a big step forward, but there is more work to do. Through this shared solution, we can help families across America heal and prevent others from facing the agony of addiction. It’s a heartbreak no one should have to endure.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.