NAADAC News

Government Relations Update: Reps. Sullivan and Ryan to Co-Chair Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus On January 24, Congressman John Sullivan (R-OK) and Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) announced they will serve as Co-Chairmen of the bipartisan Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus in the 112th Congress. Additionally, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) and Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY ) have signed on to serve as vice co chairs of the caucus. The bipartisan Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus was founded in 2004 by former Congressman Patrick Kenedy (D-RI) to serve as a groundbreaking forum to inform, educate and raise awareness about addiction and recovery and to increase legislative support for expanding access to care for people with addiction. Congressman John Sullivan offered the following statement: “I am proud to join my colleagues Reps. Ryan, Bono Mack and Tonko in announcing that we have officially registered the Congressional Addiction and Recovery Caucus for the 112th Congress. This is as important caucus to help put a public face on addiction issues facing our country. This caucus is especially important to Oklahoma as we have one of the highest rates of mental illness in America, with up to one-fourth of Oklahomans suffering from a mental health condition or addiction disorder. I look forward to working with my colleagues to raise awareness and advance public policies of importance to the addiction and mental health community.” Congressman Tim Ryan offered the following statement: “I look forward to working with my colleagues, especially John Sullivan, on this Caucus to advance legislation that’s mindful of a more rigorous system for not just treating addiction but also preventing it. In the most severe circumstances, history tells us that the way that these illnesses are treated and supervised must be reformed. I hope that the efforts of this Caucus will play a significant role in all aspects of the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation process.”