North Alabama has a real problem with drugs, particularly opioid based drugs. The local law enforcement personnel in the 4th District are doing everything possible to combat this problem that destroys lives and families. From meeting with local citizens and law enforcement in North Alabama, I have seen the evidence of what these drugs can do.

At the federal level, there are a couple of things that we can do to help our local officials. First, I will persistently and aggressively continue to search for ways the federal government can partner with state and local authorities to rid ourselves of this threat. In part that means funding programs, such as Drug Courts, that have proven successful in combating illegal drugs. Drug courts have been effective in substantially reducing drug use among program participants. At the state level, sentencing of dealers is a key component.

Funding is also an important part of this equation. Through my work on the Appropriations Committee I've worked hard to see that local law enforcement agencies in the district get the resources they need to do their jobs.

Finally, we can be aggressive in raising awareness of the issue. The more information that we are able to provide parents, the better job they'll be able to do in talking with their children about the dangers of drugs and monitoring them.