Duval Times

Senators Rick Scott and Peter Welch have reintroduced the bipartisan Overcoming Prevalent Inadequacies in Overdose Information Data Sets (OPIOIDS) Act, aiming to tackle the opioid crisis that claims over 70,000 American lives annually. This legislation is designed to equip state and local governments with tools to combat the epidemic. Congresswoman Laurel Lee is spearheading the initiative in the House of Representatives.

Senator Rick Scott expressed concern over the crisis's impact, stating, “It is devastating to see the impacts of the opioid crisis in my state and across the nation, claiming the lives of children, mothers, fathers and loved ones. Too many families have already had to grapple with this unimaginable loss.” He acknowledged efforts by President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi while advocating for quick passage of the OPIOIDS Act.

Senator Peter Welch highlighted Vermont's struggle with overdoses: “We’ve lost far too many Vermonters to overdose. Ending this crisis will take hard work from all corners of our communities—from medical professionals and law enforcement to families, friends, and neighbors.” He emphasized that understanding overdose causes is crucial for prevention.

Congresswoman Laurel Lee pointed out the severity of fentanyl’s impact: “The fentanyl crisis is devastating families and communities across our nation, claiming lives at an alarming rate." She urged support for law enforcement officers on the front lines.

The OPIOIDS Act proposes several measures:

- **Data Collection**: Grants from the Attorney General would enhance data collection related to opioid overdoses.

- **Law Enforcement Grants**: The Department of Justice would provide grants for training officers on identifying overdoses and upgrading systems for drug tracing.

- **Collaboration**: Establishes collaboration between national agencies for standardizing data submission.

- **Fentanyl Profiling Program**: Requires DEA reporting on funding needs for its Fentanyl Signature Profiling Program.