Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

Facing the Opiod Crisis

Montanans, like many across our country, continue to face a severe and growing opioid, meth, and heroin epidemic. These drugs have ravaged Montana homes and families, leaving little of our state untouched by addiction.

The time is now. We must work together to keep these drugs off the streets and out of the hands of our children, friends, and family.  

I joined Senators from across the country in demanding that the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services detail exactly how law enforcement agencies can help opioid patients and prevent prescription drugs from ending up in the wrong hands.

The law requires these agencies to provide Congress with these critical details.  Their report was due back in April. But so far, we haven’t seen a thing.  We are now six months past that due date and without any new information or possible solutions, and that is totally unacceptable.

Opioid addiction leads addicts down a dangerous path, and then they often turn to cheaper, illegal drugs. Meth and heroin are a destructive force in our communities.  And many meth and heroin addicts start off addicted to opioids

We need to know how we can help patients, prevent drug diversions, and stop the abuse of these controlled and uncontrolled substances. I am fighting the drug epidemic that is ravaging our rural and tribal communities.  This is a threat to our Montana way of life.

But we need good information, and we need it now.

The DEA and Department of Health and Human Services must coordinate as soon as possible to submit important information to support our state and country in our ongoing fight against addiction.

We must properly educate ourselves about this crisis and act swiftly to relieve the continual suffering faced today at the hands of opioids, meth, and heroin.

Jon Tester is the Senior U.S. Senator from Montana.

 

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