AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION: Anti-Opioid Law an Important First Step, Farm Bureau Says

American Farm Beureau Federation issued the following announcement on Oct. 24.

The following statement should be attributed to Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation: “The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased that President Trump today signed into law the Support for Patients and Communities Act, a measure that promises help in the fight against drug addiction.

“Opioids are stalking rural America. Our farmers and ranchers once thought addiction was predominantly something cities had to deal with. Sadly, we know now that opioids are taking the lives of Americans from all walks of life. And unlike years ago, rural America is showing some of the highest rates of opioid addiction anywhere.

“We lost a record 72,000 lives to overdoses in 2017. Today’s action will make it easier for Medicaid patients to seek and receive the treatment they need to overcome drug addiction. It increases policing of the mail that accounts for much of the opioid trade and increases grant funding to fight addiction in our communities.

“We thank Congress and the President for making this legislation law. It reminds us that we are Farm Town Strong (farmtownstrong.org).”

Original source can be found here.