The opioid crisis has devastated Northwest Washington. More than just a statistic on a page, each member of the community who dies from opioid addiction impacts family members, friends and communities across the Pacific Northwest.
Addiction is not a moral failing, but a disease that requires treatment and support for recovery.
After working with health experts, law enforcement, and other community leaders, I have introduced four bills to combat the opioid epidemic from different angles to fill existing gaps:
Workforce Development
I introduced the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act to help local economies damaged by the opioid epidemic recover.
- This bill promotes employment for workers directly affected by the opioid epidemic and helps workers transition into occupations that support individuals affected by substance use disorder.
- Employment can be an important motivator for entering into and adhering to substance use treatment programs, while also leading to better treatment outcomes.
Tribal Jurisdiction
I introduced the Protection for Reservation Occupants against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today Act (PROTECT Act) to provide Tribal courts and law enforcement with more tools to combat the opioid epidemic.
- This bill gives Tribal courts parity for search warrants for certain electronic communications. With the growth of social media, drug dealers have taken advantage of digital platforms to advance their trafficking operations. Tribal court search warrants are often denied or ignored for jurisdictional reasons.
- The bill also expands Tribal authority to prosecute crimes related to drug trafficking on Tribal lands, regardless of an offenders Indian or non-Indian status. Traffickers can exploit jurisdictional weak spots on Tribal lands to advance their operations.
Law Enforcement
I introduced the End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act to create a dedicated federal funding source for multijurisdictional drug task forces (MJTFs).
- While individual law enforcement agencies have been essential for addressing opioid trafficking, their reach is limited by local resources and jurisdictional boundaries.
- MJTFs help coordinate information, resources, and staff to target the illegal distribution of drugs at the local and regional levels.
- Funds can be used to hire and train law enforcement officers and other employees; to procure equipment, technology, or support systems, or to pay overtime.
Access to Health Care
I introduced the Closing the Substance Use Care Gap Act to help close the gap between members of our community who want treatment for opioid addiction and those who actually receive it.
- This bill would give more resources to community-based organizations fighting the opioid epidemic and expand access to life-saving medications like naloxone and buprenorphine.
- These interventions are vital for people at the highest risk of overdose and create opportunities for community engagement in effective treatments that meet people where they are.
Other Actions
I support full funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grant Program, which provide federal funding to local police departments for officers, equipment, training, and community policing efforts.
