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 met with coalition of county officials, police officers, emergency services personnel and non-profit groups from across Chautauqua County at the Mental Health Association in Jamestown for a discussion about the challenges that our communities are facing to address this growing epidemic.  

In addition, the group included Sallie Olson, Kim Carlson and Lauri Keller, area mothers who recently lost their children to opioid abuse and heroin. The discussion provided the opportunity for these mothers to share their personal stories about the hazards of the growing epidemic.

“Hearing stories is heartbreaking but they have to be told. We applaud the courage of Sallie, Lauri and Kim for coming forward to share them. We will take their stories to Washington and continue our efforts to work with local community leaders to coordinate and fight back against this growing problem,” said Reed.

The meeting comes as Congress passed 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.  

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 met with coalition of county officials, police officers, emergency services personnel and non-profit groups from across Chautauqua County at the Mental Health Association in Jamestown for a discussion about the challenges that our communities are facing to address this growing epidemic.  

In addition, the group included Sallie Olson, Kim Carlson and Lauri Keller, area mothers who recently lost their children to opioid abuse and heroin. The discussion provided the opportunity for these mothers to share their personal stories about the hazards of the growing epidemic.

“Hearing stories is heartbreaking but they have to be told. We applaud the courage of Sallie, Lauri and Kim for coming forward to share them. We will take their stories to Washington and continue our efforts to work with local community leaders to coordinate and fight back against this growing problem,” said Reed.

The meeting comes as Congress passed 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.  

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 met with coalition of county officials, police officers, emergency services personnel and non-profit groups from across Chautauqua County at the Mental Health Association in Jamestown for a discussion about the challenges that our communities are facing to address this growing epidemic.  

In addition, the group included Sallie Olson, Kim Carlson and Lauri Keller, area mothers who recently lost their children to opioid abuse and heroin. The discussion provided the opportunity for these mothers to share their personal stories about the hazards of the growing epidemic.

“Hearing stories is heartbreaking but they have to be told. We applaud the courage of Sallie, Lauri and Kim for coming forward to share them. We will take their stories to Washington and continue our efforts to work with local community leaders to coordinate and fight back against this growing problem,” said Reed.

The meeting comes as Congress passed 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.  

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 met with coalition of county officials, police officers, emergency services personnel and non-profit groups from across Chautauqua County at the Mental Health Association in Jamestown for a discussion about the challenges that our communities are facing to address this growing epidemic.  

In addition, the group included Sallie Olson, Kim Carlson and Lauri Keller, area mothers who recently lost their children to opioid abuse and heroin. The discussion provided the opportunity for these mothers to share their personal stories about the hazards of the growing epidemic.

“Hearing stories is heartbreaking but they have to be told. We applaud the courage of Sallie, Lauri and Kim for coming forward to share them. We will take their stories to Washington and continue our efforts to work with local community leaders to coordinate and fight back against this growing problem,” said Reed.

The meeting comes as Congress passed 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.