WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement in advance of President Obama’s expected announcement today of a series of public and private efforts aimed at addressing the prescription drug abuse and heroin epidemic: 

“In Maine, we’ve lost too many friends and loved ones to opioid abuse, and today, too many people still continue to suffer under the grip of addiction – most of them in silence, not knowing where to turn,” Senator King said. “One thing is clear: to address this terrible epidemic, we need a comprehensive effort, and the President’s announcement moves us in that direction. By engaging both the public and private sectors, and by looking at every facet of the problem from prevention to treatment, this strategy is a concrete step forward in the effort to stem the tide of prescription drug abuse and heroin addiction.”

Today, the White House has said that President Obama will announce a series of federal, state, local and private sector efforts aimed at addressing the prescription drug abuse and heroin epidemic that include improving provider training and access to treatment. To see the complete list of initiatives expected today, click HERE.

In August, Senator King, a member of the Senate Prescription Drug Abuse Caucus, and Director of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli convened a roundtable discussion in Brewer focused on how to build on current federal policies to better address the threat that opioid abuse poses to personal and public health and safety. Earlier this month, Senator King also spoke at the UNITE to Face Addiction Rally on the National Mall, where he highlighted the importance of raising the profile of addiction in America and underscored how those who have faced addiction are critical to helping fight it today. 

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