Dr. Bucshon Recognized for Work to End the Opioid Epidemic

The Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose Presents Award to Bucshon for Being Instrumental in Achieving Milestone Legislation

“I’m incredibly honored to be recognized by the Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose for my work to bring an end to this epidemic that is sweeping across Indiana,” said Bucshon. “Opioid abuse knows no boundaries. It does not discriminate based on income, race, gender, geography, or age. That’s why it is so important that we all work together to bring hope to our communities and expand access to treatment for those who need it.” 

According to the coalition, Bucshon and his colleagues were recognized for “their tireless work to stop the opioid misuse, addiction and overdose epidemic. These Congressional leaders are the authors, co-authors and co-sponsors of critical legislation, including the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), the Recovery Enhancement for Addiction Treatment Act (TREAT) and the Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Expansion and Modernization Act, among others.”

“We want to recognize the considerable effort undertaken by Congress, and Dr. Bucshon in particular, to address the opioid misuse and overdose epidemic,” said R. Corey Waller, MD, DFASAM, Chair of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s Legislative Advocacy Committee. “As a Coalition, we remain committed to carrying this work forward to help communities in desperate need of a solution to this public health crisis.”

 

Earlier this year, the U.S. Congress passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), Congress’ opioid crisis response package, which included a major provision authored by Bucshon to expand access to comprehensive, evidence-based treatment options, such as medication assisted treatments, and minimize the potential for drug diversion.  Bucshon also served a member of the special conference committee comprised of members of the House and Senate that negotiated the final language signed into law by President Obama.

Most recently, Bucshon introduced the bipartisan Youth Opioid Use Treatment Help or YOUTH Act to help adolescents and young adults suffering from opioid use disorders access the treatment they need.

The other members recognized were Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Senator Rob Portman (R-OH),  Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY).

The award coincides with Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week.

About the Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose

The Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose is an organization of more than 40 local, regional and national groups that are committed to advancing meaningful legislative and regulatory policies in response to the opioid epidemic. The Coalition seeks to address the U.S. opioid epidemic by engaging policy makers, public health leaders, chronic pain and addiction specialists, individuals in and seeking recovery and family members, so that legislation and policies get the support and funding needed.