Press Releases

Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (Ga-01) acted today to address and end the opioid epidemic in the United States. The House passed the House Amendment to S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, with Carter's support, combining 18 bills previously passed in the House this week to create a comprehensive strategy to address and prevent prescription drug abuse. 

"Our nation is facing an opioid epidemic and no community is safe," said Carter. "As the only pharmacist in Congress, I have witnessed and participated in some of the greatest advancements in the history of medicine. I have been blessed to watch prescription medication save lives. However, at the same time, I have watched firsthand as addiction to them ruined careers, families and lives. Everyday 78 Americans are dying from an opioid overdose and there is no time to waste. While there is no easy solution to this epidemic, I am very proud that the House passed this legislation this week to address almost every facet of the opioid epidemic. Together, we can and will overcome this health crisis."

Carter is the only pharmacist in the United States Congress and has been a leader in the fight against prescription drug abuse. As a member of the Georgia General Assembly, Carter authored the Georgia Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. Recently, Carter participated in the National Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit in Atlanta, authored this article to create solutions to the epidemic, and delivered this speech on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.