Dr. Joyce Outlines Deadly Consequences of Opioid Epidemic in PA, Urges Action on Fentanyl and Illicit Drugs

Washington, DC In today's Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing entitled "An Epidemic within a Pandemic: Understanding Substance Use and Misuse in America," Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) outlined the deadly ramifications of the drug crisis in Pennsylvania communities and advocated for additional flexibility in addressing substance abuse and addiction.

Dr. Joyce shared heartbreaking stories from Blair County Coroner Patty Ross about the tragedies occurring in their community stemming from fentanyl and other illicit drugs. In 2020, Blair County experienced an 80 percent increase in overdose deaths. As Dr. Joyce stressed during the hearing, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the opioid epidemic in central Pennsylvania and around the country.

"In Pennsylvania, the availability of illicit drugs and specifically fentanyl is a crushing blow to our local communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this epidemic has spiraled further out of control. In 2020, Blair County my home county had an eighty percent increase in overdose deaths," said Dr. Joyce. "We need to be taking action now to keep our communities safe and to expand access to lifesaving treatments for those with substance abuse disorders."

During the hearing, Dr. Joyce asked Acting Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Substance Regina M. LaBelle for answers on the Biden Administration's decision to walk back a Trump Administration guideline on the administration of Buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder. Watch their discussion.

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Fentanyl continues to pose a deadly threat to Pennsylvania communities. Dr. Joyce today co-sponsored legislation to keep fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. If Congress fails to act by May 6, the current fentanyl import ban will expire leaving massive vulnerabilities in our shared fight against the drug crisis.

Background:

In Congress, Dr. Joyce has prioritized bipartisan efforts to combat the drug crisis. Last year, he hosted former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Jim Carroll, President Trump's drug czar, in Pennsylvania for a series of roundtable discussions with local law enforcement, first responders, health care professionals, educators, and other community leaders to collaborate on achievable solutions for our region's drug crisis.

As a leader of both the Freshman Working Group on Addiction and the House GOP Doctors Caucus, Congressman Joyce has introduced bipartisan legislation to curb the spread of dangerous and illicit drugs, including fentanyl and other opioids. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has urged Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf to prioritize the needs of Pennsylvanians in recovery and ensure the availability of resources to this community.

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