The National Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit
This week I participated in the National Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit. I believe it's important to participate in this summit each year because abuse and addiction to prescription opioids and heroin has become an epidemic in our nation and something needs to be done.


Congressman Carter at the National Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit

As the only pharmacist in Congress, I have been blessed to watch prescription medications save lives. At the same time, I have watched as addiction to them ruined careers, families, and lives. The summit is designed to discuss and create solutions to this crisis. 

On Tuesday, I participated in a Congressional panel with Representatives Hal Rogers from Kentucky and Pat Meehan from Pennsylvania. During the panel, we discussed federal legislation designed to curb the tide of drug abuse across the nation. Two pieces of legislation discussed were the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and the 21st Century Cures Act which were passed by Congress to implement funding and solutions for law enforcement, treatment, recovery, prevention, and education. 

Congressman Carter participates in a Congressional panel with Representatives Pat Meehan and Hal Rogers at the National Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit

Just this week, as part of the 21st Century Cures Act, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the first round of grants to help states combat the opioid epidemic. HHS announced $485 million in grants that will be used toward the prevention of opioid abuse and treatment for those affected. 

We also discussed the need for enhanced and interconnected prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) to prevent people from trying to fill opioid prescriptions at multiple pharmacies. While serving in the Georgia State Senate, I introduced legislation to establish a PDMP in Georgia. This legislation authorizes the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency to establish an electronic database of information on controlled substances dispensed in Georgia to electronically review prescription information. One important step in ending this epidemic is eliminating "doctor shopping" so it's not possible to fill more prescriptions than needed. 

This important conversation will continue. Together, we will find a solution.

From our Nation's Capitol CX
Monday, April 17, 2017:  After a wonderful Easter weekend where we celebrated the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I am hosting three council meetings today at Armstrong State University.  Our six councils - health care, veterans, manufacturing, agriculture, small business, and transportation - are comprised of constituents who have an expertise or interest in these areas and provide staff and I with advice and input on current issues.  Our first meeting today is with the health care council and, as one would expect, we have much to talk about.  After I bring council members up to date on the latest news from Washington, I get invaluable feedback on what is being proposed, as well as suggestions that I can take back for consideration.  Next, I meet with members of the veterans council and, as is always the case, we have a lot to talk about with over 65,000 veterans living in the First Congressional District.  With a new Veterans Administration Secretary in place now, our veterans are expecting productive changes to be made to the program.  My final meeting is with the manufacturing council where the main topic of discussion is tax reform which is one of the major initiatives of the new administration and is currently being discussed in the Ways and Means Committee.  Afterwards, I head to Atlanta where I will be speaking tomorrow at the National Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit.

Congressman Carter at the McKinney Medical Center in Waycross

Tuesday, April 18, 2017:  This is the third year that I have been a featured speaker at what was originally known as the National Prescription Drug Abuse Summit.  Because of the proliferation of heroin abuse throughout the country, last year heroin was added to the title of the summit. This is the largest national collaboration of professionals from local, state and federal agencies, business, academia, treatment providers, and allied communities impacted by prescription drug abuse and heroin use.  Started in 2012 under the leadership of Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), among the featured speakers this year are Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price, Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and William Brownfield, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.  Besides myself, other Members of Congress who are here as speakers are Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Pat Meehan (R-PA).  As was the case with heroin a few years ago, fentanyl has become a major problem in our country and therefore is getting much attention at this year’s meeting. Following my presentation, I participate in a panel question and answer session before attending a private meeting with Assistant Secretary Brownfield to discuss international challenges to controlling the flow of illegal substances into our country.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017: I’m back in the district this morning and my first stop is in Hinesville where I visit the Veterans Memorial Walk at Bryant Commons to witness the progress that is being made on this great project.  While there are very few, if any, communities in our country that are more welcoming and supportive of our military than Hinesville and Liberty County, it is one of the only communities with a major military installation that does not have a veterans memorial.  For some time now, community leaders have been pushing to make a memorial a reality and, thanks to Co-Chairs George Holtzman and Jim Thomas as well as numerous volunteers, the project is now over half finished.

Congressman Carter tours the progress at the Veterans Memorial Walk at Bryant Commons
Today, we are celebrating the work of the 92nd Engineer Brigade from Fort Stewart who has recently completed most of the engineering work on the memorial.  Next, I head to Hazlehurst in Jeff Davis County where I am the keynote speaker at the ribbon cutting of Green Power EMC’s 600-acre solar panel facility.  As the only member of the Georgia Congressional delegation currently serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee, it is important for me to be involved in these types of events as the energy generated from these solar panels will be used by EMCs throughout the state.  Afterwards, I head to Jesup in Wayne County where I meet with small business owners from the area for another Affordable Care Act (ACA) roundtable.  This is the fourth roundtable that I have hosted in the district during the past two weeks and I have heard first-hand the devastation that the ACA has had on small businesses in our district.  Before leaving Jesup, I pay a visit to the Coastal Care Net facility in this area to meet with staff and tour the facility.  Along with the locations in St. Marys and Brunswick, these pro-life pregnancy crisis centers provide a great service throughout the First District.  Once back in Pooler, I meet with a local developer about a permitting issue in the northern portion of the District.

Thursday, April 19, 2017: I’m in Blackshear and Pierce County this morning as I meet with local health insurance agent Dana Larson to get her perspective on proposed health care changes before my fifth small business ACA roundtable in the district.  As I meet with small business leaders from Pierce County about their experiences with the ACA, it reinforces that our rural counties have been hit particularly hard by this awful law.  Afterwards, I head to Waycross where I meet with CEO Ola Smith, her board of directors and staff of the McKinney Medical Center, to see first-hand the great work that this community health center is doing.

Congressman Carter in Nahunta
After a great visit and tour I have my sixth and final small business ACA roundtable as I meet with small business owners from Ware County.  These roundtables have provided me with much needed information that will be of tremendous help when I return to Washington.  Next, I head to Nahunta in Brantley County where I attend one of the most special programs that I have been a part of since becoming a Member of Congress.  Mayor Ronnie Jacobs and staff have invited me to participate in a very special recognition of some of the city’s finest citizens ranging from a 105 year young lady to a high school senior who has excelled athletically and has received three college baseball scholarship offers.  Complete with music and refreshments, I am truly honored to be a part of this very special celebration.  Once back in Chatham County, I attend Taste of Pooler sponsored by the Pooler Area Chamber of Commerce and enjoy some scrumptious food samples by some of the many fine restaurants in the area.

 
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