Rep. Angie Craig Hosts Town Hall on Combating Fentanyl Crisis
Rep. Craig was joined by State Senator Judy Seeberger and community advocates to discuss the measures needed to address the fentanyl crisis in Minnesota
COTTAGE GROVE, MN – Tonight, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig was joined by State Senator Judy Seeberger (SD-41), constituents and community advocates at the HERO Center for a town hall focused on combating the fentanyl crisis – her 54th town hall since taking office.
During the event, Rep. Craig updated constituents on her continued efforts to address the fentanyl crisis and prevent overdose deaths at the federal level.
She also invited several community advocates to share how they have been impacted by this crisis and the work they are doing to provide their communities with the tools, resources and education needed to protect Minnesotans from the dangers of fentanyl.
“There is absolutely no room for politics when it comes to protecting our communities from the dangers of fentanyl. We don’t have time for partisan politics in this crisis. This poison doesn't give a damn what your politics are – nor do the criminal enterprises smuggling it into our country,” said Rep. Craig in her opening remarks.
“We’ve seen in communities across our state the devastating effects of fentanyl use, with far too many lives lost and families shattered. It is always a pleasure to join Congresswoman Craig but especially today for this topic that has touched our lives. There is lots to be done to ensure the safety of our kids, friends, and neighbors. With all of us working together we can prevent more deaths from the dangerous drug; together we will bring change to our state, country, and communities,” said Senator Seeberger.
“It's with gratitude to US Representative Craig that I'm afforded this opportunity to speak on behalf of Change the Outcome on such an important issue. As an educator and someone who has been directly impacted by the opioid epidemic, I know firsthand how much work still needs to be done. Change the Outcome is committed to working to both educate and prevent Substance Use Disorder and it fills me with pride to know that I'm fighting back against the opioid epidemic alongside other leaders and advocates like those who spoke on the subject today,” said Tucker Robinson, Program Facilitator at Change the Outcome.
“I am grateful to have been asked to display the Faces of Fentanyl for Representative Craig’s town hall meeting. Our 23-year-old son, Tyler Hein, died from fentanyl almost 3 years ago. Our family appreciates Rep Craig’s diligent and bipartisan efforts to curb and ultimately end the fentanyl crisis in our country,” said Michele Hein, parent advocate.
Rep. Craig has been a leader in the fight to combat the opioid crisis, expand resources for law enforcement and improve addiction support in Congress.
Most recently, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on her bipartisan bill to expand access to overdose prevention resources. Rep. Craig’s RECONNECTIONS Act would direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand their overdose prevention efforts and update the definition of “new and emerging public health crisis” to include the fentanyl crisis.
Additionally, earlier this year, she successfully urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fully approve the over-the-counter distribution of Narcan, a medicine used to reverse overdoses.
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