Matsui-Johnson DXM Abuse Prevention Act Passes as Part of Energy & Commerce Committee Action on Substance Abuse Crisis
Matsui-Johnson DXM Abuse Prevention Act Passes as Part of Energy andamp; Commerce Committee Action on Substance Abuse Crisis
Today, the House Energy andamp; Commerce full committee unanimously approved H.R. 3250, the DXM Abuse Prevention Act of 2015. The bipartisan legislation, co-authored by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman Bill Johnson (R-OH), builds on momentum and advocacy efforts in states by restricting the sale of products with DXM to adults over age 18 nationwide.
Congresswoman Matsui issued the following statement on the passage of the bill:
"The passage of the DXM Abuse Prevention Act as part of our Committee's work on opioid and other substance abuse is an important step forward.
"The Act is a common sense solution to curb the public health consequences of DXM abuse by teens, and I look forward to working with stakeholders to refine this legislation as it advances to the House floor. Retailers and manufacturers have stepped up to curb the abuse of DXM by teens through education and awareness. Ten states and counting, including California, have passed legislation restricting sales of DXM to individuals age 18 and under. This bipartisan bill extends those good faith efforts. By restricting the sale of products with DXM to adults over age 18 nationwide, we ensure that cough medicine remains easily accessible to those that use it appropriately and inaccessible to those who seek to abuse it. Congress must not wait for tragic stories of children being hurt due to DXM abuse before we act.
"I will continue working with providers and patients to ensure that we approach the opioid crisis in our communities both urgently and holistically. Addiction and mental illnesses cannot be detached from physical health, and we need to take immediate steps to strengthen our systems in ways that makes improvements to both preventive care and treatment. As we continue our important conversation and legislative action on comprehensive behavioral health reform, we must remain focused on solutions that both address the immediate crisis and emphasize long-term community prevention strategies.
"Together, we can ensure that our loved ones get the care that they need and deserve."
Congressman Bill Johnson issued the following statement on the passage of the bill:
"Cough and cold medicines containing dextromethorphan can pose a danger primarily because of their easy availability to those under age 18. Unfortunately, many parents are not even aware of this growing problem," said Bill Johnson. "This important, bipartisan legislation is a common sense effort that builds on the important work done so far by states and stakeholders. Children in every community across the United States should have the opportunity to live healthy, drug-free lives. Moving this bill through the Committee process on its way to the House floor is one more step towards that goal."
###