Supporting Arkansans in Need
The war against opioids and deadly illicit drugs still rages on, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for those who struggle with substance abuse. As we learn more about the successful ways to address substance use disorders, more opportunities for treatment and recovery are created that reach into our communities and create viable paths forward. Many of these opportunities for recovery are thanks in part to work done not only on the local and state levels, but at the federal level through legislation passed by Congress.
In 2018, Congress passed the Substance-Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act which was ultimately signed into law by President Trump. At that time, it was historically the largest Congressional investment in overdose prevention focused on strengthening the nation’s response to the substance abuse crisis that had already claimed millions of lives. Now, Congress has the chance to extend these life-saving provisions and continue extending critical care and resources to those in need.
Legislation like the SUPPORT Act that is focused on treatment and recovery programs is undoubtedly a contributing factor to the decreasing number of fatal overdoses reported across the country. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in Arkansas, fatal overdoses fell 25.5% from 517 in 2023 to 385 in 2024. Promising results like this are exactly why we must continue creating avenues to bolster training programs for first responders, fund community-based recovery and youth prevention efforts, and renew funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery programs, among other initiatives.
On the floor this week in the House of Representatives, House Republicans passed legislation reauthorizing key public health programs focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery for patients with substance use disorder that were established in the original SUPPORT Act and proved to be successful, providing life-saving solutions. Vital pieces of legislation like this reflect House Republicans’ sincere commitment to improving America’s health, combatting the deadly opioid crisis, and creating opportunities for success among our nation’s most vulnerable.
It is an honor not taken lightly to work diligently and tirelessly in Washington on behalf of the friends and neighbors whom I serve across the Fourth District. In passing legislation like the SUPPORT Act, Congress has the ability to lift up local programs across the Fourth District which directly affect real people with real needs. While there is still much work to be done to put an end to the opioid crisis for good, the SUPPORT Act is an excellent step in the right direction to provide hope for the people of Arkansas and our country.