The Georgia Council on Substance Abuse calls on the each Member of the Georgia Congressional Delegation to both endorse and sign on as co-sponsors to two pieces of bi-partisan legislation just introduced to address Substance Use Disorder and mental health.
Congressman David Trone (D-MD), Congressman Steve Womack (R-AR) and Congressman Dan Meuser (R-PA) have introduced two new bipartisan bills addressing Substance Use Disorder and mental health. The bills are titled the “Preventing Mental Health and Substance Use Crises During Emergencies Act” and the “Family Support Services for Addiction Act.”
The Family Support Services for Addiction Act would create a grant program to assist nonprofits that provide family support services for addiction treatment, ensuring that families can access the treatment option that is right for their loved one.
The Preventing Mental Health and Substance Use Crises During Emergencies Act would create a joint task force to prevent mental health crises triggered by public health emergencies.
“The Georgia Council on Substance is excited to support both these important pieces of legislation. No community in Georgia has been more severely impacted by COVID-19 than the Georgia Recovery Community. Every scientific, medical, educational, and law enforcement indicators validate this tragic reality. The time is now for bold action by Congress to address the impact on families suffering from Substance Use Disorder,” said Neil Campbell, Executive Director of the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse.
“Recovery is a non-partisan issue requiring a bi-partisan solution. Substance Use Disorder and mental health issues have hit in both Red and Blue districts in urban, suburban, and rural communities across Georgia. This is one issue the Georgia Congressional Delegation can unite on and show the people of Georgia they can rise above partisan politics and advance life saving positive policy,” said Jeff Breedlove, Chief of Policy for the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse.
“We have vaccines for COVID, but we will never have a vaccine to cure the mental health and addiction epidemics that have been exacerbated by this pandemic,” said Congressman Trone.
“The Family Support Services For Addiction Act, which passed unanimously in the House last Congress, will help families navigate the difficult and intimidating process of assisting a loved one with substance use disorder,” said Congressman Meuser. “This bipartisan legislation provides a community-based approach to addiction treatment, helping families navigate their insurance coverage and explore treatment options to assist their loved one.”
“The coronavirus outbreak is a multifaceted crisis. The devastating medical and economic consequences—compounded by stress and isolation—have profoundly impacted the mental health and well-being of Americans,” said Congressman Womack. “We must bring this silent epidemic out of the shadows and help those struggling. This legislation implements a coordinated effort to ensure we are better prepared to assist individuals and provide life-saving resources now and in the future.”
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