Opiates and Substance Abuse

America, and Vermont, long ago lost the War on Drugs. Relying on draconian criminalization is failed policy. Instead, when treating substance use disorders, we must move from punishment to rehabilitation as a first response. That means making effective treatment programs available on demand to every Vermonter struggling with opioid, alcohol, or another drug dependency. We must also redouble our efforts at drug use prevention and supportive recovery, and reserve stringent criminal treatment for heartless, large-scale suppliers.

Vermonters know first-hand how tragic this epidemic can be. In 2022, Vermont saw a grim new record of 244 opioid overdose deaths. Vermont saw a modest drop in 2023 to 231 deaths and this year, 2024, we seem to be bending the curve—as of April, there were 52 reported opioid related deaths. Even at this level, it is tearing at our families and challenging our communities. We still have a great deal of work to do. In the Senate, I will continue to be focused on how we can provide access to care and harm reduction to every individual struggling with substance abuse disorder, as well as prevention to those at a critical age. We must treat this issue as the public health crisis that it is, not just a criminal offense.