Rep. Johnson Offers Resource Guide for Families Impacted by Heroin & Opioid Epidemic in GA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) today unveiled a comprehensive addiction resources toolkit to help families in Georgia Fourth Congressional District and across Georgia address the issues associated with addiction. The guide is now available through the district office in Lithonia, GA and on his website.

More Americans die every day from drug overdoses than from car accidents – an average of 129 people per day, with six out of 10 deaths related to opioids. And the majority of those who need help with addiction issues are not receiving it. In 2014, only 11 percent of the approximately 22.7 million Americans who needed treatment for substance abuse received it, according to the Office of national Drug Control Policy.

Assembled by leading experts in the addiction fields and the Addiction Policy Forum, the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Toolkit includes resources around prevention, drug treatment, recovery support and general information for families, community organizations, schools, and parents concerned about addiction and looking for support.

“Starting today, a resources guide is available on my website,” said Rep. Johnson. “By providing this comprehensive guide to resources, we hope families will find the support they need to deal with these issues. So many of our families have been affected by this epidemic – and many don’t know where to turn. I hope this guide can be a small step to begin healing.”

Leading national and community organizations contributed to this comprehensive set of resources, including Community Anti-Drug Coalition, the National Council, National Association for Children of Alcoholics, Shatterproof, Faces & Voices of Recovery, Legal Action Center, National District Attorneys Association, Fraternal Order of Police, National Governors Association, Hazelden Betty Ford, National Institute of Drug Abuse, and the Office National Drug Control Policy.

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