02.15.18

Bonamici: Opioid Crisis Affects Everyone Including Workers, Employers

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) joined a Congressional hearing on the affect of the opioid crisis on America’s workplaces, workers, and employers. Bonamici has hosted community discussions in each of the five counties she represents to hear about the opioid crisis directly from health care providers, social service providers, law enforcement, and people in recovery. You can watch Bonamici’s questions at today’s hearing here.


Studies show that more than 70 percent of employers are struggling in their workplaces from the effects of prescription drug and opioid addiction, ranging from absenteeism and reduced productivity to higher health care costs.


“In every part of the district I represent, I hear from people who are struggling with addiction and people desperate to get help for others,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Our work and personal lives are intertwined. Employers need healthy workers. Workers – particularly those in recovery – need stable jobs, adequate health coverage, and job protection so they can take the time to care for loved ones or get the treatment they need.”


Bonamici supports several pieces of legislation designed to address the opioid crisis:

  • The Addiction Treatment Access Improvement Act, HR 3692, to expand medication-assisted treatment;
  • The STOP OD Act, HR 664, to expand prevention, promote treatment and recovery, and provide training and equipment for Naloxone; and
  • The Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention Act, HR 1057, to better screen foreign illegal opioid imports;
  • The Opioid Immediate Suspension Order Act, HR 4073, to restore the ability of the Department of Justice to respond to the growing opioid crisis; and
  • Supported $1.6 billion for opioid response in the last two years and has called for additional investments in these programs.

Press Contact

Maggie Rousseau, 202-754-1649