Equity Technologies & Resources (fka ETCR)

[Al Tillis]

Key House Panel Investigates Oxycontin Abuse
Kentucky witnesses, invited by Rogers, provide compelling testimony

Tuesday, December 11, 2001

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-5) says the widespread abuse of the prescription drug Oxycontin is the most serious drug abuse epidemic he has witnessed in his 20 years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and his prior experience as a prosecutor. Rogers made the comments during a 6-hour hearing held today by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary (CJSJ). Rogers questioned witnesses ranging from U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration chief Asa Hutchinson to local law enforcement and the Kentucky father of a recovering drug addict.

"This epidemic is the worst scourge that we’ve ever faced in my region," Rogers said today. "It has torn families apart, ruined lives, and stretched the resources of law enforcement and social service agencies to the absolute limit. In my 20 years of service here in the Congress, and in my years as a Commonwealth’s Attorney, I have never seen such a devastating effect created by one substance on our citizens. People are dying, our jails are running out of space, beds at treatment centers are scarce, and our communities are crying out for help."

Rogers aggressively questioned DEA administrator Asa Hutchinson on the U.S. Justice Department’s response to the epidemic and sharply questioned an executive from Purdue Pharma, the company that manufactures the pain remedy. Dr. Paul Goldenheim, the company’s executive vice president for research and development, defended the company’s aggressive marketing strategies which Rogers and other members of Congress believe has directly contributed to the nationwide epidemic. When Goldenheim told Rogers that his company was unable to regulate how its product is dispensed, Rogers sharply responded: "We can."

Rev. Donnie Coots, pastor of the Mason’s Creek Church of God in Hazard, told the panel of his personal experience as a father with a child who had abused Oxycontin and other drugs. In a dramatic moment, Coots invited his son, Joshua, to join him at the witness table. Rogers and his colleagues congratulated the Coots family for their willingness to tell their story in the public forum.

"In working with many different programs and people, I have found that the best way to address drug abuse problems is through faith-based centers," Coots said today. "These centers have outstanding success rates. Recovery rates of 90-percent and better are not uncommon. Give the faith-based centers a chance."

Rod Maggard, who currently serves as director of the Rural Law Enforcement Technology Training Center in Hazard, told the committee that rural and small town law enforcement does not have the human or technological resources to fight the epidemic. Maggard called for increased federal support for efforts to combat the growing problem: "Without the support from the federal government, we may win the battle but lose the war."

Rogers, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, urged his colleagues to provide funding for coordinated law enforcement resources and prescription drug monitoring systems that are nationally compatible.

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This is good - U.S. Representative Harold "Hal" Rogers is a name
we all will come to be familiar with.

Best,
Al