Congressman Kim (D-NJ) and Congressman Trone (D-MD)
Secure Critical Funding for Opioid Addiction Programs

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) and Congressman David Trone (MD-06) announced the duo secured $500 million in funding for programs to research the development of treatments for those suffering with opioid addiction.

The funding will support the Helping to End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Initiative in a comprehensive spending package to be taken up by the House this week. The HEAL Initiative will provide $250 million to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and $250 million to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), to fund research to develop and test treatment models to help those struggling with opioid and addiction issues.

“Every story I heard at our opioid and addiction town hall and in meetings throughout New Jersey is a reminder of why securing these funds is so critical,” said Congressman Kim. “Opioid and addiction issues have hit crisis levels in our communities. These funds will help our local experts fight back and fight for those who need a hand in recovering and getting their lives back on track.”

“The opioid epidemic has claimed the lives of far too many Americans and impacted countless families, including my own,” said Congressman Trone, founder of the Freshman Working Group on Addiction. “Increasing research funding is vitally important for ending the crisis once and for all. This funding will arm experts with the resources to help those suffering from addiction.”

Both Congressmen Kim and Trone are members of the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction. Founded by Congressman Trone, the Working Group is comprised of more than 60 new bipartisan Members of Congress dedicated to increasing understanding and finding solutions to the national opioid and addiction crisis.

Last month, Congressman Kim held an opioid and addiction town hall in Toms River. Local resources for those looking for help with these issues can be found on his website by clicking here.

Addressing the opioid crisis is Trone’s top priority in Congress. In March, Trone led a Congressional delegation to Johns Hopkins facilities to learn about stemming the opioid epidemic. Trone also held a week-long tour of Maryland’s 6^th District that focused on addressing the opioid epidemic, culminating in an opioid workshop that featured community resources to help those affected by the opioid crisis. Last month, Trone sent a letter to the Attending Physician in Congress asking that information and training be provided to House offices on administering the overdose reversal drug naloxone.

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