U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today released the following statement after attending the bipartisan White House announcement that the Trump Administration would declare a Nationwide Public Health Emergency to address the opioid crisis:

“I want to applaud the Trump Administration for taking decisive action to address the threat the opioid crisis poses. This fight is personal to me: It has hit home even in my own extended family. It has torn through families, neighborhoods, and communities both in my home state of Michigan and indeed across the entire country.

“In the last few years I have been meeting with first responders, crisis center employees, advocacy groups, and yes – individuals suffering. All of these folks have said that, tragically, the death toll continues to rise. As part of my landmark, bipartisan 21^st Century Cures Act, an additional $1 billion was allocated to states, like Michigan, to address opioid addiction treatment and prevention. Just this year, the first round of that funding was delivered. Michigan received more than $16 million dollars. This grant funding will make a real difference. To those suffering, I just say this: Help is on the way.

 “But there is more work to be done. Clearly. And here in Congress we will continue to take steps to address this epidemic. We should all work together to advance meaningful, bipartisan legislation that will make a difference. Together, we can take on this ‘silent epidemic’ and bring it out of the shadows.”

Since 2015, Upton has been committed to taking action on the tragic opioid abuse epidemic that has affected communities in Michigan and across the country. Fred has led the charge to pass bipartisan legislation to address this widespread problem including the 21^st Century Cures Act and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). Both were signed into law by President Obama. As part of the 21^st Century Cures Act, Michigan has received more than $16 million in grant funding with more on its way. Learn more about Upton’s work on this topic here.