WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) applauded the administration’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis’ final report. The report contains a number of recommendations intended to combat the opioid crisis devastating West Virginia and our nation.

The report specifically recognizes the need to update patient privacy laws to ensure medical professionals have access to information about Substance Use Disorders (SUD) when treating and prescribing medication. The commission expressed support for the Protecting Jessica Grubb’s Legacy Act (Legacy Act), which addresses this issue and is named in honor of West Virginian Jessie Grubb.

Last month, Senators Capito and Joe Manchin sent a letter to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and the commission urging them to include the Legacy Act in the commission’s final report. Click here to read the full letter.

“West Virginia has taken many important steps to address the opioid epidemic and make significant progress to curb the spread of drug abuse. The final report released today by the president’s opioid commission is another step to aid in this fight. I was particularly pleased to see that legislation honoring West Virginian Jessie Grubb was referenced in the report, and greatly appreciate the administration’s continued commitment to making this terrible epidemic a national priority,” said Senator Capito.

President Trump established the Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis in March to develop new solutions aimed at ending and treating drug abuse, addiction and the opioid crisis.

Click here to read the commission’s final report. 

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