Congressman Cohen Named to Conference Committee on Opioid Package

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Liberties, today was named a member of the House-Senate Conference Committee on a legislative package to address the opioid addiction epidemic.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve on the Conference Committee on opioid legislation,” said Congressman Cohen. “Opioids and heroin are a most serious problem in this country and this is an opportunity to once again help address a fundamental flaw in our nation’s broken drug policies. Opioids and heroin should be the primary focus of law enforcement’s efforts to curtail drug-related crime and deaths. I have always had a strong belief that drugs such as opioids, heroin, crack, cocaine, and meth are the drugs that cause people to steal and resort to violence and sometimes murder to feed their habit.

I have a personal experience with opioid abuse as the son of a dear friend of mine died of a heroin overdose and I know of other promising young people in Memphis who have also died of heroin overdoses. Heroin and opioid abuse is a crisis in our country that must be addressed. I am honored that Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi selected me to serve on my now second conference committee of this Congress. My seniority in Congress and recognition of my work fighting for a more sensible drug policy have given me the opportunity serve on this committee, and for that, I am extremely honored.”

Congressman Cohen spoke on the House floor on the opioid epidemic last week. You can watch his speech here.