Joyce, Tonko, Dean & Kiggans Announce Relaunch of Congressional Addiction, Treatment & Recovery Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today,Co-Chairs Dave Joyce (OH-14) and Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Vice Co-Chairs Madeleine Dean (PA-04) and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) announced the relaunch of the Congressional Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery (ATR) Caucus. Throughout the 119th Congress, the representatives will lead a bipartisan group of legislators committed to advancing bipartisan solutions to the country’s multifaceted addiction crisis.

“The opioid crisis continues to destroy communities in Ohio and across the country. We owe it to our constituents and to this nation to support those suffering from addiction and increase access to proven forms of treatment,” said Congressman Joyce. “The Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus has found commonsense, bipartisan solutions to our nation’s addiction problem for over 20 years, and I am proud to be a co-chair alongside my colleague, Rep. Tonko. Together, we will work with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to improve and expand access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services for Americans.”

“For over 20 years, the ATR Caucus has served as a forum for representatives in Congress to develop bipartisan solutions to the addiction crisis that save and improve lives,” said Congressman Tonko. “With every community across our nation impacted by this epidemic, it’s beholden on all of us to address this disease of despair with a response rooted in hope. I look forward to working with my colleagues to combat this crisis with compassion and resolve.” 

“With more Americans dying from overdoses than ever before, we need to do everything we can to reduce and prevent addiction,” said Congresswoman Jen Kiggans. “Addiction doesn’t discriminate based on zip code – it has infiltrated every community and left far too many families without their loved ones. It’s time to change the narrative and show Americans that help is out there and there is a path to recovery. I am honored to join my colleagues on the Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus to find meaningful solutions for substance use disorder, ensuring our children and all Americans live long, happy, and healthy lives.”

“The beginning of a new Congress is a time to renew our priorities — and the Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus is once again ready to find common ground solutions to uphold our common humanity,” said Congressman Dean. “Addiction is an utterly devastating disease that has touched every community in our nation, yet my family knows that recovery is not only possible but joyful. I want that hope and possibility for every family. I’m grateful to Chairmen Paul Tonko and Dave Joyce for their leadership — and I look forward to working alongside Congresswoman Jen Kiggans as Vice Chairs in our efforts to break the stigma of substance use disorder, spread awareness, and support recovery. Together, we can help save lives.”

Background: 

The ATR Caucus is the first and longest running congressional caucus that recognizes addiction as a disease. For the last 21 years, the ATR Caucus has served as a forum for Members of Congress to come together in a bipartisan fashion to address the stigma of addiction and work together to save lives.

At a time when the United States is facing an overdose crisis, coupled by a nation-wide shortage of healthcare professionals, the ATR Caucus will serve as a forum for bipartisan action to support communities across the United States and drive commonsense solutions to the problems underpinning the crisis. The ATR Caucus has long been dedicated to education and to raising awareness among lawmakers about addiction with a strong focus on increasing support for expanding access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

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