H.R. 3889 - ONDCP Technical Corrections Act of 2019

To support this bipartisan legislation that will make technical changes to the re-authorization of the Office of National Drug Control Policy included in last year's Support Act. As we all know, we are in the midst of a substance use disorder epidemic fueled by the proliferation of opioids exasperated by synthetic opioids like fentanyl and increased use of methamphetamines, among other threats. this year, Americans will lose close to 70000 friends and families. Loved ones due to drug overdoses, More Americans are now dying annually due to an overdose than at the height of the Aids crisis or during the entire Vietnam War. No community is unaffected by this crisis. In my home of Orange County, California drug and alcohol overdose deaths have increased by 80 -, two percent since 2000. Across our country, our constituents are asking us to advance solutions to Last year, Congress passed and President Trump signed the support for patients and Communities Act, a wide ranging bipartisan bill aimed at addressing treatment, prevention, recovery and enforcement, the Support Act represent an important step in the right direction to reverse the tide of overdose deaths. The Support Act included provisions to reauthorize and reform the Office of National Drug Control Policy. A component of the Executive Office of the President, ONDCP plays a critical role. And overseeing the federal government's drug control efforts, However, there were several technical issues in the Support Act that must be corrected to ensure that the office can properly carry out its duties as Congress intended and improve the federal government's response to this crisis. The ONDCP Technical Corrections Act of 2019 would ensure the integrity of the performance measurement system help ONDCP hire the best people to address the addiction crisis and improve the effectiveness. Grant programs These corrections would help ONDCP efficient and effective execution of it. Mission preventing combating and treating the effects of drug proliferation throughout our nation. I would like to thank my fellow member, Mark Meadows for joining me in introducing this bill in the Committee staff on both sides of the aisle for working diligently to develop in advance and I look forward to the House of Representatives passing this bill today. There's much more to be done to address the addiction crisis and I look forward to continue to work with all of my colleagues on this important issue.