In 2021, there were over 76,975 deaths from opioid overdoses, and thousands right here in Maryland. In the legislature, addressing this crisis has been one of my top priorities. I authored, introduced and we passed the bipartisan Josh Siems Act to improve fentanyl testing processes in Maryland hospitals. I’m the sponsor of legislation to cap the cost of over-the-counter NARCAN at $10, and to promote life saving joint prescribing regulations.
When elected to Congress, I will work tirelessly to advance legislation and funding for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs here in Maryland. Having spent time with overdose prevention professionals and advocates, both as a legislator and in my time visiting communities across Western Maryland, I know we are in desperate need of more resources to address this public health crisis. I’ll collaborate directly with federal and state officials, local public health agencies, and nonprofit organizations to deliver on the resources they need. I will also support the bipartisan Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act, and advocate for diplomatic and border security measures to stop the flow of fentanyl.
Brooke’s House in Hagerstown is a remarkable example of an effective community-based treatment and rehabilitation program. In Congress, I will work to replicate the Brooke’s House model so all Americans have access to similar care options.
In Congress, I will:
COSPONSOR the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, empowering U.S. government agencies to more effectively disrupt illicit opioid supply chains, penalize those facilitating the trafficking of fentanyl, and ensure that sanctions are imposed not only on the illicit drug trade, but also on the money laundering that makes it profitable
DEFEND the SUPPORT Act, increasing funding for community solutions to the overdose crisis, and making MOUD treatment (effective treatments for addiction that prevent overdoses and help people maintain recovery and avoid return-to-use) more accessible
COSPONSOR the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act, expanding access to methadone for an individual's use to treat opioid use disorder, and directing the DEA to register certain practitioners to prescribe methadone that is dispensed through a pharmacy for an individual's use
OPPOSE the HALT Fentanyl Act, which is opposed by 158 national, state, and local public health, criminal justice reform, and civil rights organizations, and imposes overzealous sentences on people with substance use disorder rather than targeting the source of the crisis