Today, Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) pressed the Director of National Drug Control Policy, R. Gil Kerlikowske, to support vital federal programs which combat the scourge of prescription drug abuse, offer support and treatment to addicts, and help get drug dealers off of our streets. With drug abuse costing our economy $193 billion annually and taking over 80 lives per month in the Commonwealth of Kentucky alone, Rogers emphasized the importance of addressing the drug problem holistically by focusing on treatment, education, law enforcement and research.

As Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Drug Abuse, Rogers has been a leader on Capitol Hill in advocating for multi-pronged solutions to our country’s fastest growing drug epidemic – prescription drug abuse. He touted the work of Kentucky-based, Operation UNITE, which combats drug problems in a 29-county region. Director Kerlikowske met with Operation UNITE officials during a trip to Kentucky in February 2011.

In addition, Rogers discussed the importance of state-run prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), which help track vital prescription data so that doctors and pharmacists know when a prescription is being abused, and investigators can identify over-prescribing problems. Currently 48 states have authorized PDMPs; however, a secure interstate exchange of data among these PDMPs will be critical to reducing the interstate doctor shopping that has fueled the pill pipeline in our country. In 2002, Rogers worked to establish a grant program in the Department of Justice to support state-run PDMPs, and at today’s hearing, Rogers announced his plans to introduce legislation on Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives which would help facilitate this information exchange between PDMPs.

Click here to read Congressman Rogers’ opening statement at today’s Financial Services and General Government Budget hearing.

As part of his efforts to fight this growing epidemic, Rogers joined with Representatives Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) and Stephen Lynch in forming the bi-partisan Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse, which aims to raise awareness of abuse and to work toward innovative and effective policy solutions, incorporating treatment, prevention, law enforcement and research. Due in large part to his leadership on the issue, Rogers will give the keynote address at the National Rx Drug Abuse Summit on April 11, 2012. Rogers has served Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District since 1981. With a focus on economic development, job creation, fighting illegal drugs and preserving Appalachia’s natural treasures, he has a reputation for listening to his constituents and fighting for the region he represents. For more information visit www.halrogers.house.gov.

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