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Congressman Davis Calling For Substance Abuse Reform

Michael Hill
/
WGLT

Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis is supporting five bills to combat opioid abuse in McLean County and across the country. At least four of the measures are expected to be discussed on the House floor this week.

The bills include funding for training first responders and law enforcement officers as well as funding to increase the prevention of drug trafficking.

Another seeks to examine the effectiveness of programs that help babies who suffer from withdrawal symptoms due to drug-using mothers. The Taylorville Republican said he expects the bills to pass without much opposition.

"There comes a time when the federal government is demanded to come in and offer some solutions,” he said. “While these solutions won't be the final solutions for the opioid epidemic, hopefully they're good first steps.”

Davis plans to work with Congressman Darin LaHood as well as other Republicans and Democrats to pass the bills with bipartisan support. However, he said they have to be careful not to cause an increase in opioid use.

"Some of the measures that we put in place to reduce the use of pill form opiates have, unfortunately, led to the increased usage of what has become a more cost-effective drug in heroin," he said.

Congressman Davis has concerns about a 70 percent increase in arrests for possession of controlled substances in McLean County alone last year. He spoke with Sherriff Jon Sandage and Coroner Kathleen Davis about the issue. Congressman Davis said the fight against opioid abuse isn't over.

"Our end goal is to make sure that no one uses opioids. Our end goal is to make sure that we reduce the amount of heroin users to zero,” he said. “While that may seem impossible, that has to be our goal, because, until then, we can't stop.”

Sandage said law enforcement has to focus on multiple things to decrease opioid use.

"It's straight poison that are getting in people's hands, and, if we can keep it out of there, and, on the same hand, if we catch people, get them the help that they need, [it'll be] a better community," Sandage added.

Sherriff Sandage and Coroner Davis gave Congressman Davis a tour of the county's Evidence Room and the Coroner's Office before he went on a ride-along with a McLean County K-9 unit.

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