PETER WELCH, Senator for Vermont

CONTACT:

Emily Becker, 202-740-8072 

WASHINGTON — Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) joined Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) to introduce the bipartisan Overcoming Prevalent Inadequacies in Overdose Information Data Sets (OPIOIDS) Actcomprehensive new legislation to help law enforcement better identify, understand, and address opioid overdoses. In 2022, more than 230 Vermonters died from opioid-related overdoses, a ten percent increase from the prior year and the highest number on record.  

Overdoses can be prevented, but efforts to do so are hamstrung by inadequate data and limited resources. At present, data collection on overdoses is limited and often delayed. The OPIOIDS Act will support data collection at the state and local level, giving law enforcement, public health officials, and local government the tools they need to prevent and respond to overdoses.  

 “We’ve lost far too many Vermonters to overdose,” said Sen. Welch. “Ending this crisis will take hard work from all corners of our communities—from medical professionals and law enforcement to families, friends, and neighbors. But we cannot end overdoses without understanding their cause. That’s why I am proud to join Sen. Scott to introduce this bipartisan legislation. The OPIOIDS Act will help law enforcement gather essential data to make informed decisions on prevention, treatment, and recovery and keep Vermonters safe.”  

 “Illicit fentanyl continues to endanger communities and families all across the country and it must be stopped,” said Sen. Scott. “We have lost too many mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and friends, and I will not allow the horrific consequences of inadequate policies in Washington, or the heartbreak of families hurt by this terrible drug, to be ignored. Today, I am proud to introduce the bipartisan OPIOIDS Act to bring much-needed action against the crisis that is hurting so many Americans and their families. I want to thank Senator Welch for joining me on this important bill and urge all of our colleagues to stand with victims of fentanyl, their families and everyone fighting this battle by supporting this legislation.” 

The OPIOIDS Act also includes support for additional training for law enforcement to identify and prevent overdoses, as well as grants to upgrade the systems used to trace and identify drugs. A list of the bills other provisions is included below.  

 To read the full text of the OPIOIDS Act, please click here.  

The OPIOIDS Act includes:  

o    Provide training to help officers better identify overdoses, 

o    Upgrade essential systems for drug tracing and forensic laboratories, and  

o    Provide training to better trace criminals through the darknet. 

o    Additionally, this bill would allow existing COPS Grants to go toward providing training and resources for containment devices to prevent secondary exposure for first responders. 

  

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