To change the epidemic of drug abuse in the country, we will have to change the culture

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, releases this video of his exchange today with Administrator Robert Patterson of the Drug Enforcement Agency. Patterson was testifying during the House Judiciary Committee’s hearing examining “Challenges and Solutions in the Opioid Abuse Crisis.”

During his questioning of Administrator Patterson, King discussed several topics that must be addressed to effectively deal with the opioid crisis in America.

First, we must come to grips with the fact that there are over 11.5 million drug abusers in the United States.

Next, we must acknowledge, as Administrator Patterson did, that the “vast majority” of illegal drugs in the United States come through Mexico. Administrator Patterson also testified that “almost all” illegal drug distribution chains in this country contain at least one link that is an illegal alien. Clearly, an effective strategy to end drug abuse must focus on securing the border.

Finally, and most importantly, we must “change the culture in this country.” One approach proposed by Congressman King to solve the epidemic of drug abuse would be enhanced drug testing in the workplace, in education, in the government, and of welfare recipients. Doing this would quickly expose the “dealers and stealers.”

King is a leader in the effort to combat opioid abuse in America. In January, King was invited to the White House to participate in the bill signing ceremony for the INTERDICT Act, legislation that combats the opioid abuse epidemic by increasing U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s ability to detect and stop the flow of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids across America’s borders.

For those who have been affected by opioid abuse, or who know people that are struggling with opioid addiction, Congressman King would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that the Iowa Department of Health has created an online tool that can be used to identify locations within the 4th Congressional District that can provide help. The tool is accessible at this link.