releases: http://hultgren.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/hultgren-commends-white-house-action-against-highly-addictive-painkillers
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
This data as json
| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| http://hultgren.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/hultgren-commends-white-house-action-against-highly-addictive-painkillers | Hultgren Commends White House Action against Highly-Addictive Painkillers with Safe, Convenient Disposal | 2014-09-10 | 2014 | 2014-09 | Republican | House | IL | Randy Hultgren | H001059 | hultgren.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today commended the White House’s Office of National Drug Policy (ONDCP) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) following the issue this week of new rules which will create “convenient, legal avenues for safe, environmentally-friendly disposal of unneeded prescription drugs,” especially highly-addictive painkillers like opioids. A majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, many times from the home medicine cabinet. Now, family members and patients will benefit from disposal locations at local pharmacies and mail-back programs. Long-term-care facilities will also be able to create similar disposal programs on behalf of current and former residents. “Our community has been on the forefront in combating the heroin and opioid epidemic in northern Illinois, but the problem is only exacerbated by free and easy access to addictive painkillers. When more than two-thirds of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, it is essential these families have easy and convenient access to secure disposal sites,” said Rep. Hultgren. “I comment the ONDCP and the DEA for their work to improve access to authorized disposal sites. Our job now is to increase awareness in our communities so patients, family and friends quickly remove and dispose of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medicines. I urge everyone to check their medicine cabinets and find out where your closest site is.” Rep. Hultgren has been a leader in the fight to stop the epidemic of heroin and opioid abuse: Previously, Rep. Hultgren participated in the nationwide drug “take-back” day which provides residents with no-cost, anonymous collection of prescription medicines. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Last October, Americans turned in 324 tons (more than 647,000 pounds) of prescription drugs. In March, Rep. Hultgren convened a Community Leadership Forum on Heroin Prevention in Geneva, Illinois and released a community action plan based on the forum discussions aimed at developing a community-based solution to the epidemic. Many communities are already implementing the recommendations put forth in the plan. Rep. Hultgren submitted the community action plan to both Governor Quinn's Young Adults Heroin Use Task Force and the House Bipartisan Task Force on the Heroin Crisis for their input and advisement, as well as to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA) who has investigated the issue. Previously, the National Association of REALTORS® recognized Rep. Hultgren for his recommendation to them to expand state efforts combating prescription drug abuse. They emphasized the need for REALTORS® everywhere to encourage homeowners to take proactive steps to make sure prescription drugs are secured prior to public open houses. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |