Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi Leads Oversight Committee Hearing on Local Efforts to Combat the Opioid Epidemic and How Congress Can Better Support Them

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, lead Democrat on the House Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on Healthcare, Benefits, and Administrative Rules led a subcommittee hearing yesterday on local efforts to address the opioid epidemic and federal programs supporting that work, including High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) grants and Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grants. HIDTA grants provide assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies reducing the supply of illicit drugs through dismantling and disrupting drug trafficking organizations. DFC grants support local coalitions in preventing and reducing youth substance abuse and since its inception, the program has funding more than 2,000 coalitions across the country.

Witnesses testifying before the committee during the hearing included Derek Siegle, Executive Director of Ohio HIDTA, Amy Haskins, Project Director of Jackson County Coalition, Lisa Roberts, Coordinator of Scioto County, OH Coalition, and Karen Ayala, Executive Director of the DuPage Health Department's Heroin/Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Taskforce.

"Today's hearing provided a tremendous opportunity to hear from local leaders fighting on the front lines against the opioid epidemic as we learned more about the best ways for Congress to support their efforts," said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. "Every single day, I feel the impact this crisis has on so many of my constituents in DuPage, Cook, and Kane Counties. The public health crisis of opioid addiction demands that we are committing sufficient resources, and that we are spending them efficiently and effectively."

"The dedicated men and women leading substance abuse prevention programs in my district are working tirelessly to address the root causes of addiction and their work will save thousands of lives. Congress must increase support for the programs described today and programs around the nation that have found success in keeping dangerous drugs out of communities, helping young people stay away from substance use, and get those suffering from addiction the help they need to get and stay clean. This is an essential mission for the federal government, and I will continue to fight for the resources needed to achieve these goals."

In March, Congressman Krishnamoorthi voted for $3.2 billion in new funding for opioid treatment in addition to helping to secure $280 million in annual funding for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) grants and $99 million for Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grants.

Footage of Congressman Krishnamoorthi's opening statement is available here

Footage of Congressman Krishnamoorthi's line of questioning for the Committee's witnesses, including Ms. Ayala, is available here

Footage of the full hearing is available here