U.S. House Committee Holds Mass. OxyContin Hearing

By WBUR News & Wire Services
Apr 12, 2010, 7:44 AM
1 Comments

BOSTON — OxyContin and heroin addiction in Massachusetts was the focus of an impassioned special U.S. House subcommittee hearing at the State House Monday.

The U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, which will review the state’s ongoing efforts to curb the addiction problem and what the federal government can do to help, heard from state lawmakers, parents and former addicts.

One former addict, Melissa, said she overdosed twice before getting help.

“Today I am a mother, a wife, a taxpaying citizen, a registered voter, and none of these would be possible if I was not in recovery,” she said.

Massachusetts lawmakers are calling for passage of state legislation that would expand substance abuse programs and tighten controls on prescription drugs. They also called on federal officials to devote more resources to the problem.

Before the hearing, U.S. Rep. William Delahunt said the BOSTON — OxyContin and heroin addiction problem isn’t limited to Massachusetts. He said Washington needs to better understand how it can aid states and local communities in curbing the problem.

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Mark Bouyer

We need to keep Substance Abuse treatment in the courts to help people who struggle with this addiction. We almost lost treatment in the courts this year including Drug Court, but we we’re able to return in November after being layed off for seven months, Dorchester Drug Court program thanks everyone who made this happen.