Rep. Craig's Bill to Combat Opioid Epidemic, Expand Access to Overdose Prevention Resources Signed into Law

WASHINGTON, DC -Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig’s bipartisan RECONNECTIONS Act to expand access to overdose prevention resources was signed into law.

Rep. Craig’s bill directs the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to expand their overdose prevention efforts by bolstering prescription drug monitoring programs, promoting and evaluating community and health system interventions and conducting research on controlled substance overdoses.

“The fentanyl crisis has touched folks in every corner of Minnesota, and that’s why expanding access to overdose prevention resources has been one of my top priorities in Congress,” said Rep. Craig. “Today is a major milestone in the fight to end the opioid epidemic in Minnesota and across our country. I couldn’t be prouder to see this common-sense bill signed into law.”

The RECONNECTIONS Actpassed the House as part of the bipartisan SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act in June. 

Rep. Craig has been a leader in the fight to combat the opioid crisis, expand resources for law enforcement and improve addiction and recovery support in Congress. Last Congress, Rep. Craig introduced the bipartisan Kid PROOF Actto expand access to lethal means safety supplies – like lockboxes and safes – for parents of children at risk of overdose or suicide.

In 2023, Rep. Craig successfully urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fully approve over-the-counter distribution of Narcan, a medicine used to reverse overdoses.

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