Donovan says feds responding to prescription drug epidemic
The federal government is set to take strong and bold action to curb the growing opioid drug epidemic in America, according to U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan, who said the House voted affirmatively on a bill to provide funding for prevention and treatment.
The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act, approved by the House on May 12, would authorize new funding for substance abuse treatment, education and enforcement. The U.S. Senate passed a similar bill in March.
Opioids are prescription pain killers such as Vicodin, OxyContin and Percocet. If not taken properly, they can be addictive, according to medical experts. Health care experts also warn that many patients who become addicted to opioids and who then have trouble getting their hands on the pills often turn to heroin.