Press releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Jim Carroll, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, met with local leaders in New Orleans today to discuss Louisiana’s opioid addiction problem.

Opioids contribute to the deaths of hundreds of people across Louisiana every year.  In 2017, more than half of opioid-related deaths were in the parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany and East Baton Rouge.

“Opioid addiction kills 70,000 people a year in the U.S.  It’s destroying families, ruining careers and cutting lives short.  It’s not an exaggeration to say addiction is a crisis in this country,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “Director Carroll is on the front lines of the battle against opioid addiction, and I’m so thankful that he took the time to come to Louisiana and talk to local leaders.  We’re working on solutions, including holding China’s feet to the fire on stopping the flow of illicit fentanyl to this country.  This is an epidemic that we can cure.”

“Communities large and small across Louisiana have been devastated by the crisis of addiction in America,” U.S. Drug Czar Jim Carroll said. “As part of the Trump Administration’s whole-of-government approach, we are bringing together those on the front lines of this fight to ensure our efforts are effective in tackling this crisis. I appreciate Sen. Kennedy’s invitation to see firsthand the issue affecting so many people in Louisiana.  I commend Senator Kennedy’s leadership on this issue and his commitment to curbing illicit drug use, cracking down on the flow of these deadly drugs coming into our country, and getting those struggling with addiction the help they need.  It was a pleasure to be with him today and learn more about the tremendous work being done here at the state and local level to save American lives.”

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