Tom Reed hosted community leaders from across the region including law enforcement, medical personnel and public health officials, to gain insight on the growing public health crisis of prescription opioid abuse and heroin. “We care about the families and individuals that are being impacted by addiction. The only way we will ever stop this problem is by coming together and developing a comprehensive approach to prevention and treatment.  We applaud the efforts of everyone involved as they work to combat this issue.”

Reed hosted a coalition of county officials, police officers, emergency services personnel, non-profit groups from across Tioga, Steuben and Chemung Counties for a discussion about the challenges that our communities are facing to address this growing epidemic.

Included in the group was Caitlin Garey, a heroin abuse survivor. Garey, of Johnson City, began abusing prescription drugs when she was still in high school, eventually escalating to heroin. As she continues with recovery, she was able to share her story with the group and discuss some of the challenges that those struggling with addiction face.

Topics ranged from stopping the flow of illegal drugs into communities to the desire to place renewed emphasis on drug use prevention among young adults.  Further still, many officials cited concerns over the lack of local treatment options to help rehabilitate addicts.

The meeting comes as Congress Reed continues efforts to develop proposals that would address the problem, including the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016. In addition to other provisions, the bill mandates that a variety of federal agencies come together and develop a study designed to provide changes to pain management and opioid prescribing guidelines. Other legislation being considered would examine the effectiveness of current grant programs, to make sure that funding is being used efficiently and effectively. 

“We know that the best solutions come from the people that are on the front lines, who deal with this crisis every day. As we begin to seriously look at this issue, we have to get their input and make sure that the policies passed in Washington work for those at home that are struggling with addiction,” Reed concluded.

Tom Reed hosted community leaders from across the region including law enforcement, medical personnel and public health officials, to gain insight on the growing public health crisis of prescription opioid abuse and heroin. “We care about the families and individuals that are being impacted by addiction. The only way we will ever stop this problem is by coming together and developing a comprehensive approach to prevention and treatment.  We applaud the efforts of everyone involved as they work to combat this issue.”

Reed hosted a coalition of county officials, police officers, emergency services personnel, non-profit groups from across Tioga, Steuben and Chemung Counties for a discussion about the challenges that our communities are facing to address this growing epidemic.

Included in the group was Caitlin Garey, a heroin abuse survivor. Garey, of Johnson City, began abusing prescription drugs when she was still in high school, eventually escalating to heroin. As she continues with recovery, she was able to share her story with the group and discuss some of the challenges that those struggling with addiction face.

Topics ranged from stopping the flow of illegal drugs into communities to the desire to place renewed emphasis on drug use prevention among young adults.  Further still, many officials cited concerns over the lack of local treatment options to help rehabilitate addicts.

The meeting comes as Congress Reed continues efforts to develop proposals that would address the problem, including the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016. In addition to other provisions, the bill mandates that a variety of federal agencies come together and develop a study designed to provide changes to pain management and opioid prescribing guidelines. Other legislation being considered would examine the effectiveness of current grant programs, to make sure that funding is being used efficiently and effectively. 

“We know that the best solutions come from the people that are on the front lines, who deal with this crisis every day. As we begin to seriously look at this issue, we have to get their input and make sure that the policies passed in Washington work for those at home that are struggling with addiction,” Reed concluded.

Tom Reed hosted community leaders from across the region including law enforcement, medical personnel and public health officials, to gain insight on the growing public health crisis of prescription opioid abuse and heroin. “We care about the families and individuals that are being impacted by addiction. The only way we will ever stop this problem is by coming together and developing a comprehensive approach to prevention and treatment.  We applaud the efforts of everyone involved as they work to combat this issue.”

Reed hosted a coalition of county officials, police officers, emergency services personnel, non-profit groups from across Tioga, Steuben and Chemung Counties for a discussion about the challenges that our communities are facing to address this growing epidemic.

Included in the group was Caitlin Garey, a heroin abuse survivor. Garey, of Johnson City, began abusing prescription drugs when she was still in high school, eventually escalating to heroin. As she continues with recovery, she was able to share her story with the group and discuss some of the challenges that those struggling with addiction face.

Topics ranged from stopping the flow of illegal drugs into communities to the desire to place renewed emphasis on drug use prevention among young adults.  Further still, many officials cited concerns over the lack of local treatment options to help rehabilitate addicts.

The meeting comes as Congress Reed continues efforts to develop proposals that would address the problem, including the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016. In addition to other provisions, the bill mandates that a variety of federal agencies come together and develop a study designed to provide changes to pain management and opioid prescribing guidelines. Other legislation being considered would examine the effectiveness of current grant programs, to make sure that funding is being used efficiently and effectively. 

“We know that the best solutions come from the people that are on the front lines, who deal with this crisis every day. As we begin to seriously look at this issue, we have to get their input and make sure that the policies passed in Washington work for those at home that are struggling with addiction,” Reed concluded.

Tom Reed hosted community leaders from across the region including law enforcement, medical personnel and public health officials, to gain insight on the growing public health crisis of prescription opioid abuse and heroin. “We care about the families and individuals that are being impacted by addiction. The only way we will ever stop this problem is by coming together and developing a comprehensive approach to prevention and treatment.  We applaud the efforts of everyone involved as they work to combat this issue.”

Reed hosted a coalition of county officials, police officers, emergency services personnel, non-profit groups from across Tioga, Steuben and Chemung Counties for a discussion about the challenges that our communities are facing to address this growing epidemic.

Included in the group was Caitlin Garey, a heroin abuse survivor. Garey, of Johnson City, began abusing prescription drugs when she was still in high school, eventually escalating to heroin. As she continues with recovery, she was able to share her story with the group and discuss some of the challenges that those struggling with addiction face.

Topics ranged from stopping the flow of illegal drugs into communities to the desire to place renewed emphasis on drug use prevention among young adults.  Further still, many officials cited concerns over the lack of local treatment options to help rehabilitate addicts.

The meeting comes as Congress Reed continues efforts to develop proposals that would address the problem, including the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016. In addition to other provisions, the bill mandates that a variety of federal agencies come together and develop a study designed to provide changes to pain management and opioid prescribing guidelines. Other legislation being considered would examine the effectiveness of current grant programs, to make sure that funding is being used efficiently and effectively. 

“We know that the best solutions come from the people that are on the front lines, who deal with this crisis every day. As we begin to seriously look at this issue, we have to get their input and make sure that the policies passed in Washington work for those at home that are struggling with addiction,” Reed concluded.