PRESS RELEASE: Gifford Announces Opioid Policy Plan Following Tour of District Initiatives

Calls for increased funding and innovative policy solutions

April 17, 2018

LOWELL—Rufus Gifford, candidate for Congress in Massachusetts’ 3rd Congressional District, today outlined his policy positions to address the opioid epidemic following a multi-day tour of the district where he visited a number of community organizations working on recovery and treatment.

“The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis that is devastating families of all socio-economic backgrounds across the district,” said Gifford. “We need a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach to both treat those suffering and get at the root causes of the crisis.”

Gifford visited Lowell House; Pegasus House, Women’s View, and Daybreak Shelter, all of the Psychological Center in Lawrence; and GAAMHA, Inc. in Gardner. All these initiatives provide some form of residential and other programs treating substance abuse.

“There are so many tragic stories I’ve heard throughout our communities, and it breaks my heart,” said Gifford. “At the same time, there are so many amazing people and organizations that are doing God’s work, saving lives every day. These are true heroes who are on the frontlines. I’m so impressed by them all and will do everything I can to support their absolutely vital work.”

Based on his conversations with advocates, experts, and voters, Gifford released a policy plan outlining his views on how to address the epidemic.

The plan can be found here.

The plan centers around four pillars: prioritizing and expanding access to treatment; decreasing the supply of opioids; providing significant and sustained federal funding; and pursuing a comprehensive, bipartisan national strategy.

“As a member of Congress, I will fight for significant funding and ensure that Massachusetts gets its fair share,” said Gifford. “We need to treat this like the national crisis that it is, and that means innovative, forward-looking policy solutions, expanding treatment options, and preventing future generations from using.”

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