VFTC: Fighting opioids, thanking those who serve and protect

Combatting the Opioid Epidemic

The issue of opioid addiction took center stage this week as Congress returned to Washington after an in-district work week. The simple truth is opioid addiction is spreading at an alarming rate as it negatively affects families and communities across Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District and the entire country. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates roughly 6.5 million Americans are abusing these drugs which are not illegal narcotics – but are prescription drugs found in home medicine cabinets across America. While they are beneficial to those to whom they are prescribed by doctors, they can be deadly if used by others.

In fact, recent studies have shown that more than half of chronic prescription drug abusers received those pills from prescriptions written for them, or from friends and family. Statistics show approximately 46,000 Americans die from a drug overdose each year. That amounts to nearly 130 overdose deaths every day! This week, the House began fighting back against what has become an opioid epidemic.

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Combatting the Opioid Epidemic

The House passed several bipartisan bills, a number of which I co-sponsored, that range from addressing opioid addiction amongst our veterans, to babies suffering from withdrawal from exposure to narcotics, to the current pain management best practices, and much more. This epidemic affects us all. So I am glad to see these bills pass with such strong bipartisan support. In Missouri, the scourge of drug abuse is a growing problem, and it will take all of us to help solve it. I have heard too many stories of families torn apart and livelihoods in tatters. We need to stop this scourge now.

It is my hope that these bills will become law and will provide the necessary support and resources to help all Americans, young and old, deal with the opioid abuse problem once and for all.

Security for Us and Our Allies

As Chairwoman of the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations, I convened a hearing this week on the role of the Department of Defense in the sale of military equipment to foreign nations. The United States benefits from the sale of American military equipment to our allies through empowering them to defend themselves without our involvement. These sales also foster good will and create and maintain jobs in the U.S. defense industry. To that end, we must move to eliminate the bureaucratic mess that is standing in the way of our allies acquiring military equipment and protecting their security needs.

Vicky convenes a hearing of the House Armed Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee

When our allies are secure, America benefits through collective safety and protection of our freedoms. If we are unable to eliminate bureaucratic burdens so sales can proceed, our allies might look elsewhere for their military equipment, delivering a blow to the U.S. defense industry. It is time to eliminate the red tape. Next week we will continue to learn more about how we can improve the system with my third hearing on this topic. Hopefully, we will be able to shepherd through needed changes with our efforts.

National Police Week

Next week is National Police Week and I am joining Americans across the country in thanking our law enforcement officers who work hard every day in what is sometimes a thankless job. I am encouraging the good citizens of MO-4 to send a "thank you" note through my website.  You might also want to share about a noteworthy interaction you have had with an officer. It might have been an officer who comforted you after an accident or one who waited with you when your car broke down on a lonely road. Please offer your kind words of thanks to an officer, a department, or to officers in general.

Join me in letting law enforcement officers know how much they are needed and appreciated! Click here to send a short thank you note to a deserving officer or department.

#MO4Appreciates

Serving Our Veterans

Lastly, our district is proud to be one of our nation’s most military-intensive congressional districts and home to tens of thousands of veterans who have served our country with distinction and honor. To ensure our veterans have access to the information and resources they need to deal with the challenges of service, go to school, navigate the VA, or transition into a new career, I will be hosting a Veterans Resource Fair on Saturday, June 18th at Hickman High School in Columbia.

Veterans Resource Fair

In addition to providing a place to meet and socialize with fellow veterans, I will be bringing representatives from the VA, colleges, and businesses together to provide opportunities and resources for those who have served. Refreshments will be provided and experts will be on hand to offer a wealth of information. If you have served, I hope to see you there. If you know someone who has served, let them know about the event. More information can be found on my website here.

Have a great week.

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