Klobuchar Speaks Out On Growing Opioid Addiction Epidemic
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Sen. Klobuchar is meeting with leadership from Minnesota's treatment and medical communities Friday in an effort to speak out on the battle to tackle prescription drug abuse.
Klobuchar spoke Friday morning at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation addiction treatment center along with the Director of National Drug Control Policy.
They talked about what they called a heroin and opioid epidemic in America.
Klobuchar said there is a need for resources to tackle prescription drug and heroin abuse.
The Senate recently passed her Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which shifts the emphasis on substance abuse treatment away from just "abstinence" to options like "medication-assisted treatment."
But Klobuchar said more needs to be done to increase prevention strategies and prevent overdose deaths.
According to the United States Department of Health & Human Services, about 2.2 million people need treatment for opioid abuse but only 1 million get it.