Press Releases

Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) today thanked his colleagues for passing H.R. 5891, the Improving the Federal Response to Families Impacted by Substance Use Disorder Act. This bill intended to help stem the opioid abuse crisis passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 409-8.

The bill would establish a federal taskforce with the mission of coordinating the federal response to the opioid crisis. The taskforce would help identify, evaluate and recommend best practices to states and local agencies in their fight against opioid abuse. The taskforce would also develop ways to better identify and prevent substance abuse in the home and around children and minors.                                                                                                                                                    

“Opioid abuse has long been a problem. Recently, it has become a large-scale epidemic in need of immediate attention.”

“Earlier this year, Senator Johnson and I held a roundtable discussion on the opioid crisis with state and federal experts, local leaders and individuals directly affected by the crisis.”

“As a result of the roundtable, it was clear that better coordination is needed between federal agencies and local communities. Communities can better address the crisis if they know what works and what doesn’t.”                                                         

“By passing my bill, my colleagues agreed with my conclusion that we need establish a federal task-force that brings together experts from across the spectrum to fight opioid abuse and reduce overdose deaths.”

“Overdose deaths have increased 700 percent from 2013 to 2016. In Wisconsin, the amount of overdose deaths due to opioids is more than 50 percent higher than the amount of car crash deaths.”

“One overdose is too many. These are preventable deaths of precious lives. I am determined to fight to put an end to the opioid crisis and believe that this bill could be a turning point in the fight.”

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman is serving his second term representing Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.