It usually starts out harmless. Painkillers are prescribed to individuals who need them. Sometimes patients may be unaware of the addictive nature of these prescribed opiates; other times physicians are pressured to completely alleviate a patient's pain to maintain approval ratings. Quickly and unintentionally, they get addicted. If those prescription opioids become unavailable, heroin is there to meet the need.
These opioids, found in home medicine cabinets and on bathroom counters, are so powerful that the body quickly develops a fast and more intense craving, creating a heightened level of addiction. An estimated 6.5 million Americans abuse prescription drugs. Now it is a leading cause of death, surpassing deaths by motor vehicle accidents in the United States.
According to Adams County Coroner James Keller, 34 of the 64 total drug-related deaths last year involved signs of prescription opioids. Quincy police, Macomb rescue and EMTs have begun carrying Narcan -- an overdose antidote -- in all patrol cars. One thing is clear -- this problem has hit our communities in Central and West-Central Illinois.
This opioid epidemic is non-discriminant. It transcends socioeconomic status, educational levels, racial differences and age gaps. It hits urban, suburban and rural areas. No demographic is exempt.
I was a state and federal prosecutor for over a decade. I am familiar with the consequences of drug addiction and overdose. I know this -- just locking people up will not solve this problem.
So what do we do? In a series of round-table forums that I conducted across our district, including here in Quincy, I posed this question to law enforcement officers, drug task force representatives, prosecutors, judges, addiction specialists and families affected by opioid overdose. The answer isn't simple, but it was consistent -- this complex problem requires a multifaceted approach.
At its core, this problem is a public health crisis, not a law enforcement-centered issue. Every puzzle piece must be in place to terminate this crisis. Treatment and rehabilitation are also essential, and that requires resources.
Last week in Congress, the House passed legislation with my strong support and input aimed at addressing this crisis. These measures range from enhancing treatment, to preventing addictions by updating medical best practices, to allowing prescriptions to be partially filled to prevent over-prescription. The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act of 2016 creates a streamlined opioid abuse grant program, authorizing $103 million annually for a variety of programs, including drug courts, training for law enforcement and criminal investigations for unlawful distribution of opioids.
People battling opioid addiction are not all bad people; many are merely trying to get well. We cannot arrest or spend our way out of this problem. We must work our way out of it together, ensuring resources are spent in the most impactful way for those on the front lines in our communities.
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap, won a special election last September and represents portions of Central and Western Illinois in the 18th District. LaHood, an attorney, is a former prosecutor and Illinois state senator.
