Reps. Dusty Johnson and David Trone Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Opioid Crisis on College Campuses

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (SD-AL) and David Trone (D-MD) announced the introduction of the Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act of 2019, a bill that would assist institutions of higher education in implementing evidence-based programs to prevent alcohol and substance misuse on campus and support those with substance use disorders (SUDs). Reps. Chris Pappas (D-NH), John Joyce (R-PA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), and Michael Guest (R-MS) joined Johnson and Trone in introducing the bill.

The bill also promotes collaboration between institutions and the state agencies that administer related programs targeting SUDs and encourages integration in campus-based health services between primary care, SUD services, and mental health services.

This marks the second piece of legislation Rep. Johnson has supported this month to combat the opioid crisis. Earlier this month, Rep. Johnson cosponsored the Fentanyl Sanctions Act, which would require sanctions on manufacturers in China who support traffickers, transnational criminal organizations, and financial institutions that assist such entities. This legislation was originally introduced by Senators Cotton (AR-R) and Schumer (NY-D).

"The Campus Prevention and Recovery Services for Students Act ensures that students are not left behind in our bipartisan fight against the opioid epidemic," said Rep. Johnson. "Prevention efforts should be collaborative and evidence-based. This bill will accomplish that goal, providing greater safety to our students and our communities."

"The opioid crisis has ruthlessly swept through our nation targeting everyone in its path, including those on college campuses," said Rep. Trone. "I heard from students and college presidents in my district that they needed more resources to address how drugs and alcohol impact their campuses. This bipartisan bill will provide much-needed resources to institutions in order to address this gap."

You can read the entire bill text here.