Who took part in our 2017 studentcam documentary competition. And studentcam 2018 starts in september with the theme the tunisi tunisi constitution you. Were asking students create a video of why the constitution is important. Now a House Oversight hearing on a bill to reauthorize the office of National Drug control policy. This is almost two hours. The committee on government oversieft and reform will come to order. Without objection, the chair is authorized to call a recess at any time. Before we get to Opening Statements, i want to thank everyone. Our guests, our panelists, those in the audience, the members and staff and everyone for how accommodating you were this morning. We had an unforeseen contingency that arose in our normal room. So thank you for understanding. Over the past two decades, elicit drug use has emerged as a Public Safety cries wis overdoses becoming crises with overdoses becoming the leading cause of injury or death in the United States. Opioids and specifically heroin and pain relievers are the cause of the most deaths in the United States with the death rate more than doubling since the year 2000. In south carolina, where im from, almost twice as many died in 2015 from the Previous Year and more than 560 died from the abuse of prescription opioids over the same period of time. The epidemic is growing, and lives are at stake literally. It is imperative our nation maintain a strong, coordinated effort across the federal government to combat drug abuse from design, manufacturing, distribution, prescription, and consumption. In 1988, congress established the office of National Drug control policy as part of the antidrug abuse act to coordinate drug programs across the federal government, advise the administration on national and interNational Drug control policies, and create and oversee the National Drug control budget. Ondcp is uniquely equipped to address what the r role the federal government can play in determining what kind of clinical, social welfare, and economic programs could impact and reverse drug abuse problems in our country. Ondcp was last authorized in 2006, the authorization lapsed in 2010. But the offices continued to receive appropriations each year. In december, 2015, this Committee Held a meeting to discuss proposals for reauthorization. The thendirector testified regarding combating the use of Prescription Drugs was a top priority for the agency. However, since then, ondcp has failed to produce a formal National Drug strategy, and a National Drug control budget, which is supposed to be released no later than february 1st, each year. In the meantime, deaths due to opioid overdoses have only increased in the u. S. In 2016. No office is perfect. God Knows Congress certainly is not. But it is our responsibility nonetheless to see that deadlines are met, particularly statutory deadlines, resources are well spent, and the leadership that can be provided nationally is being provided. There is a prevention aspect, a treatment aspect, an education aspect, an enforcement aspect, punishment aspect, and an oversight aspect. The federal government has long occupied a space as it relates to both the elicit use of Illegal Drugs and the use of Illegal Drugs. Today we will have an opportunity to consider options for reauthorizing ondcp and learn about how this agency can work toward the goal of reducing and ultimately eliminating our nations Opioid Crisis. We will also examine how ondcp can help mitigate the significant harm communities across america have felt as a result of our nations Opioid Crisis. There are many areas worthy of exploration today, and we thank all of our witnesses for appearing before the committee. We look forward to your testimony as we consider next steps for reauthorization. And with that, i would recognize my friend from virginia. I thank the chair. And i want to thank him personalle for having this hearing h. I also want to thank him personally for his absolute willingness to accommodate our witnesses and to hear the case for why we felt especially mr. Flannery being added would add the personal dimension of the story that hes courageous enough to share. I thank my friend from south carolina. This is an area where we can find common ground, where bipartisan cooperation must occur. And i know the chairman is committed to doing it, as am i. Were in the midst of a National Public health emergency. The opioild epidemic has Opioid Epidemic has taken tens of thousands of lives in america and, unfortunately, shows no signs of ending. Every day, every day 91 americans die from an opioid overdose. This epidemic doesnt care where you live or what Political Party you belong to. The crisis has touched every corner of our nation. Where i come from, northern virginia, is no exception. Fairfax county, which i chaired for five years, reported more than 100 drugrelated deaths last year. Prince william county, the other county i represent, reported 52. These are astronomical numbers by our normal standards. Today we have on our panel don flannery, father from fairfax county, and his wife has joined him here today, too. His son, their son, kevin, tragically lost his life to opioid overdose two yearsing three years ago. Kevin was a graduate of the university of virginia. He aspired to a career in filmmaking. He became addicted to oxycontin because of a medical prescription and a particular medical condition. He died at the age of 26. Mr. Flannerys been an outspoken advocate for the need to address this crisis, and we all welcome his testimony here today. Every day, people across the country die from drug addiction. Families are torn apart, americans are suffering. The crisis cannot wait. As members of congress, weve got to do everything we can to assist and ameliorate and reverse this crisis. Unfortunately, were not sensing that same sense of urgency from the administration. On the campaign trail, President Trump repeatedly promised action. He said, and i quote, were going to help the people that are seriously addicted. Were going to help those people. But were six months into the administration, and the president has still not appointed a drug czar to lead the office of National Drug control policy. Nor has the administration produced a National Drug control strategy. Instead, what the president s done is proposed cutting the programs that are already working. His proposed budget would cut 370 million to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health services administration, which provides grants for opioid overdose drugs, Mental Health, and prevention programs. In the midst of a national emergency, we cannot accept that. The president s efforts to repeal the Affordable Care act also would have devastating effects on americans suffering from drug addiction. The latest effort to repeal the aca would take Health Insurance away from 2. 8 Million People with Substance Abuse disorders. Let me repeat that. 2. 8 million. Congress must not let that happen. Additionally, repeal of the Affordable Care act could also make it difficult for individuals with Substance Abuse disorders to find the help they need. Legislation repealing the bill would allow states to waive the aca requirement that Mental Health and Substance Abuse treatment are part of the essential health services. This would leave many of those seeking help without Insurance Coverage on those areas for the very treatment they desperately need. Were here today to discuss reauthorization of the office of National Drug control policy. This office plays a Critical Role in coordinating the federal response to our nations drug epidemic. The office manages a budget of more than 370 million and coordinates the related activities of 16 different federal departments and agencies. Ondcp also administers two federal Grant Programs. Communities in my district, for example, have been fortunate to receive assistance from whats called the highintensity Drug Trafficking program which provides grants to localities and states and tribal areas to counter Drug Trafficking activities. In 2007, we saw a shift to emphasizing Public Healthbased Services Within the National Drug control strategy. I look forward to hearing more about the importance of a comprehensive approach to this challenge. Prevention and treatment are important tools. Working together, as the chairman suggested, in how we approach this. What is also important is ensuring that any National Drug control strategy is based on empirical evidence, and one that prioritizes results over prior beliefs or ideology. Evidence should always guide public policy, particularly when addressing matters of Public Health and safety. Weve witnessed the perils of failing to fix that with our marijuana policies and cannot repeat such costly mistakes. This Committee Held a number of hearings on that topic in the last several years, and each time i noted we have no empirical evidence that justifies marijuana as classified as a scheduleone drug. In fact, the u. S. National institute and drug abuse, nida, for years the sole federal entity that controlled access to the federal governments lone Research Supply of marijuana, was unwilling to fund or conduct any federal research into the question of whether marijuana might have positive benefits. This lack of empirical evidence to support our policy has led us down a dark path wherein our National Drug policy has provided cover for arresting all too many minority americans for nonviolent offenses at rates up to eight times those of white americans, and filling our prisons beyond maximum capacity. Scarring them and their families, often for life. Weve got to rethink that approach. And its got to be empirical based. I want to thank our panelists for being here today, mr. Chairman. For their contributions to the office of National Drug control policy. And their personal contributions to the dialogue. And i want to reiterate my commitment to cooperate with you, mr. Chairman. And our mutual staffs to make sure that we are aggressively addressing this critical issue that is now afflicting our country. Thank you so much. I yield back. The gentleman from virginia yields back. Well hold the record open for five legislative days for any members who would like to submit a written statement. Ill recognize our witnesses. I will recognize you, my right to left, and introduce you that way. And then recognize you for your Opening Statements. I would tell all the witnesses, your Opening Statement is part of the record. I am sure that my colleagues have read it, so to the extent you can, keep your Opening Statement within five minutes so the members can have an active dialogue with you. Our first witness is mr. Richard barnham, acting director of the office of National Drug control policy. Next we have miss diana malard, director of it justice and Law Enforcement issues at the Government Accountability office. We have dr. Keith humphries, a professor of psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at stanford university. Mr. Don flatter who is an addiction policy advocate, and a parent who has been impacted by todays subject matter. We want to welcome all of you and thank you for being here. Pursuant to committee rules, all witnesses are to be sworn in before they testify. So i would ask you to please rise and lift your right hand. You solemnly swear the testimony youre about to give is to be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you god . May the record reflect all the witnesses answered in the affirmative. You may sit down. With that, we will recognize director blum. Chairman, Ranking Member, and members of the committee, thank you for inviting me to appear before you today to discuss the activities of the office of National Drug control is your mic on . Hows that . Is that better . I think it might be old age on our behalf. Do i need to get real close in there . Thats good. Okay. Thats good. All right. Im going to start over. Can we restart the clock for me . Yeah. Chairman goudie, Ranking Member connelly, and members of the committee, thank you for inviting me to appear before you to discuss the activities of the office of National Drug control policy. Its a tremendous honor to be here and to serve as acting director of the agency where ive worked for two decades. At auto ndcp we have a dedicated team of policy experts working to address the Opioid Crisis and the full range of drug threats our country faces. Having the strong support of the president , his administration, and congress, particularly this committee, means a great deal to us. Given the state of this crisis, reauthorizing the office charged with responding to it is more important than ever. Thank you for taking this on. Were grateful. As you all are aware, were in the midst of the worst drug epidemic in u. S. History. In 2015 we lost more than 52,000 people to Drug Overdose including more than 33,000 to overdoses involving opioids. The Opioid Epidemic began with the overproscribing of Prescription Drugs and has involved heroin and, increasely, fentanyl. In my team as acting director ive met with parents who lost children, visited communities hit hard by this epidemic. When i was in johnstown, pennsylvania, students at the university of pittsburgh, johnstown, had just found out that a star on the wrestling team had died of an overdose involving fentanyl. Its heartbreaking to hear the stories of lost lives. We know these are stories youve heard all over the country. Most lethal drugs are not made in the u. S. And ondcp works with federal and International Partners to improve interNational Drug control and dismantle organization thats traffic these deadly drugs into our communities. Beyond opioids, we also face a rapidly growing threat from cocaine, as well as serious threats from methamphetamine, synthetic drugs, and marijuana. I look forward to discussing these specific drug threats in more detail in the q a. Ondcp serves as the lead Drug Control Agency and adviser to the president on drug issues. Our activities include policy development, coordination, and drug budget oversight, as well as targeted grant funding. Our position within the white house provides a platform to build support for proven strategies to address quickly evolving drug threats. Ondcp strongly supports a comprehensive policy approach to address all aspects of the drug problem, supply and demand. Reducing the drug supply is critical to our overall efforts. The u. S. Must use every tool available including working with partner nations on drug eradication, land and sea interdiction, and destroying the criminal networks which bring these substances into our country, and smuggle illicit proceeds out. Domestic Law Enforcement including state and local agencies play a Critical Role in reducing drug availability and building cases against trafficking groups. Ondcp also plays a Critical Role in promoting the science of addiction and evidencebased treatment and breaking the still that surrounding Substance Abuse so people will be more likely to seek treatment and to achieve and maintain lifetime recovery. Prevention is a vital component of addressing drug abuse in this country. I, therefore, made it a priority to reinvigorate a National Prevention effort to engage youth in schools and on line. There is a critical component for preventing drug use from beginning in the first place. Ondcp is also focused on supporting ways for the criminal Justice System to brert address addiction within its populations. For many people, engagement with the law is the first opportunity to access treatment services. Whether through pretrial or prearrest diversion treatment, via drug courts or treatment within