Democrats ‘Dangerously Politicizing’ Opioids

‘Sen. Chuck Schumer … Dangerously Politicizing The Issue’

“Senate Democrats and drug policy groups pushing for a strong response to the heroin epidemic are growing increasingly concerned that Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is dangerously politicizing the issue, risking what has been steady, if slow, bipartisan progress.” (“Junk Politics: Dems, Drug Policy Groups Worried Schumer Is Politicizing Heroin,” The Huffington Post, 2/22/2016)

“Now, a leading liberal drug policy group is warning the Senate that the partisan turn in the heroin conversation is an unwelcome one. Though the letter doesn't single out Schumer ... the message is clear. ‘[M]eaningful progress on the opioid and heroin epidemic is only possible when policymakers commit to moving forward in a bipartisan fashion,’ the letter from the Harm Reduction Coalition reads.” (“Junk Politics: Dems, Drug Policy Groups Worried Schumer Is Politicizing Heroin,” The Huffington Post, 2/22/2016)

• Letter from the Harm Reduction Coalition: “We have appreciated the bipartisan spirit of collaboration with which Senate Committees have thoughtfully approached these issues, emblematized by the strong support in the Judiciary Committee and amongst the broader community for [CARA]. Harm Reduction Coalition requests that you honor this bipartisanship as you work to advance this bill to the Senate floor.” (“Junk Politics: Dems, Drug Policy Groups Worried Schumer Is Politicizing Heroin,” The Huffington Post, 2/22/2016)

• “The Harm Reduction Coalition, separately, sent a letter to Senate leadership urging them to move the legislation in a ‘bipartisan fashion’ and suggesting that some of the programs pushed by Democrats do not ‘achieve sufficient and timely impact to warrant emergency supplemental appropriations outside of regular order.’” (“Senate Readies For Battle Over Opioid Abuse,” The Hill, 2/28/2016)

Drug Policy Groups: What ‘Schumer Was Demanding As Essential -- Wasn't Necessary’

“Democratic demands for $600 million in emergency funding is threatening to take down a bipartisan bill tackling the nation’s growing opioid addition.” (“Senate Readies For Battle Over Opioid Abuse,” The Hill, 2/28/2016)

“…drug policy groups … suggested that everything [Sen. Jeanne] Shaheen [D-NH] was asking for -- and Schumer was demanding as essential -- wasn't necessary as emergency funding, and other parts of it weren't well-targeted.” (“Junk Politics: Dems, Drug Policy Groups Worried Schumer Is Politicizing Heroin,” The Huffington Post, 2/22/2016)

• SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “[J]ust a few months ago we appropriated $400 million to opioid-specific programs — nearly one-third more than what the Senate appropriated the preceding year — and we understand that all $400 million of those funds still remain available to be spent today. That’s right, all $400 million remains available to be spent.” (Sen. McConnell, Press Release, 2/29/2016)

• MICHAEL P. BOTTICELLI, Director of National Drug Control Policy: “The FY 2016 appropriations act provides more than $400 million in funding specifically to address the opioid epidemic, an increase of more than $100 million over the previous year.” (“Statement of Michael P. Botticelli,” U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, 1/27/2016)

• “Congress authorized $400 million for prevention and treatment in its year-end spending package, an increase of $100 million from 2015. A Senate Appropriations aide said none of the 2016 funds have been spent yet, as agencies are still working on their funding opportunity announcements.” (“Opioid Bill Clears First Senate Hurdle,” Roll Call, 3/01/2016)

• “Grant Smith, who works on legislation for the Drug Policy Alliance, another reform group, said that in particular, the more than $200 million in Shaheen's bill that goes toward law enforcement isn't compatible with the new public health approach to the issue. . . Both [Harm Reduction Coalition policy director Daniel] Raymond and Smith said their organizations were broadly supportive of research and prevention money, but that this funding wouldn't do anything for the immediate emergency. And finally, they both said, Shaheen's bill doesn't disperse money to states based on how bad the epidemic is there, but instead uses more standard formulas, and doesn't require money to be spent on fighting the opioid problem.” (“Junk Politics: Dems, Drug Policy Groups Worried Schumer Is Politicizing Heroin,” The Huffington Post, 2/22/2016)