Washington, DC–Congressman Rokita, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education is leading a joint subcommittee hearing titled “Close to Home: How Opioids are Impacting Communities,” in order to hear more about keeping the opioid crisis from further infiltrating our homes, schools, and businesses.
“This opioid crisis is a national health emergency that knows no bounds. It is affecting men, women, children–all ages, all races. Here in Indiana, a recent pilot program from the state Department of Health found that about 1 in 5 infants assessed at hospitals around the state tested positive for opiates. This is truly a crisis. We must work together to stop it from worsening and taking the lives of more Hoosiers, and more Americans. I have hosted two summits recently, a women’s summit and a [School] Safety summit where this issue has come up. I am pleased to bring those Hoosier thoughts and sentiments from those summits to Washington at this hearing.”
Last month, Rokita hosted a School Safety Summit that focused extensively on the opioid epidemic. The issue of drug overdoses due to opioids is only getting worse as deaths related to opioids have quadrupled since 1999. In 2016 alone, there were approximately 64,000 drug overdoses.
“The opioid crisis is claiming the lives of 175 Americans per day. Today is an opportunity to come together to discuss ways to help kids who might be struggling like Brady Noonkester a Hoosier who lost his life to opioids,” continued Rokita. “Earlier this month, I was able to speak with Brady Noonkester’s father, Dustin Noonkester at my School Safety Summit. He told me his son’s story and how it inspired him to found Brady’s Hope an organization to help families affected by this epidemic. I hope our discussion today inspires everyone to join Dustin’s mission by helping take action to combat this epidemic.”
Listen in to the Congressman’s Subcommittee hearing by clicking here.
