Bowling Green Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health, has penned an op-ed in the Washington Examiner highlighting Congress's efforts to combat substance-use disorder amidst the worsening overdose epidemic. Guthrie points out the detrimental impact of President Joe Biden's border policies on the crisis.

In his op-ed, Guthrie acknowledges the progress made in 2018 with the passage of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, a comprehensive legislation aimed at reducing drug overdose deaths. He also commends the Trump administration for its aggressive actions to disrupt the supply of illicit fentanyl in communities.

"By all measures, this all-the-above approach was working. Between January 2018 and 2019, drug overdose rates declined, and we only experienced a small increase in drug overdose rates between January 2019 and 2020," Guthrie writes.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation, as lockdowns left millions of Americans isolated without the necessary support systems for individuals dealing with substance use disorder. Guthrie also points out that President Biden's decision to reverse former President Trump's border policies, including Remain in Mexico and Title 42, has further worsened the crisis.

"Due to the Biden administration’s open border policies, every state has become a border state with illicit drugs flowing into our communities at unprecedented rates," Guthrie states.

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Guthrie expresses hope that the hard work of House Republicans can reverse these troubling trends. He highlights recent efforts by the House GOP, under his leadership, to permanently schedule fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs and reauthorize the SUPPORT Act.

"We undoubtedly have our work cut out for us, but I am hopeful that we can reverse these trends because of the hard work House Republicans are doing to address the crisis at the southern border," Guthrie asserts.

In conclusion, Congressman Brett Guthrie emphasizes the importance of addressing the overdose epidemic and highlights the role of Congress in combating substance-use disorder. He calls for a comprehensive approach and acknowledges the need to address the influx of illicit drugs through effective border policies.

The full op-ed can be read [here](link to the full op-ed).

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