On the opioid crisis

Oregon has the highest rate of pain medication misuse in the country and the second highest rate of adult substance abuse disorder.

We're in the midst of a devastating and heartbreaking opioid crisis, and I'm determined to do everything I can to end it.

Earlier this year, I helped pass the Families First Act to broaden childhood home visits and to bring aid to families with parents suffering from opioid abuse.

This spring, I fought to have drug company executives testify before the Senate, so they can answer for their role in creating the crisis.

Recently, I helped introduce 22 bipartisan bills on Medicare, Medicaid, and Human Services in the Senate that take essential steps in combat opioid abuse, from making treatment more accessible to demanding accountability for doctors who write false prescriptions.

These are critical steps, but we need a long-term fix. Ultimately, Congress must take real and lasting action to confront this epidemic that has devastated far too many people and their loved ones.

I won't stop fighting until we have the infrastructure and services that families need to end opioid addiction and abuse.

Ron