WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) released the following statement Thursday regarding President Trump’s executive order establishing the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis:

“Our nation’s – and our community’s – drug crisis transcends politics, and so must our response. I applaud the president’s executive order establishing a commission to investigate the roots of this epidemic and outline tangible actions the government can take to fight back against this epidemic. Any response to this challenge must be holistic in nature and focus not only on enforcement, but also prevention, education, treatment, and recovery. I am eager to work with the administration and members of both parties to advance these solutions.”

Fitzpatrick, a trained Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), is a member of the Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus and the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force. He has made opioid addiction a focus of his time in Congress and, earlier this month, testified in front of the House Appropriations subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Commerce, Justice, Science to urge appropriate funding authorized by CARA and the 21st Century Cures Act that will help communities combat the opioid epidemic.