Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer Introduces Bill to Improve Training, Funding for Workers on the Frontlines of the Fentanyl Crisis

December 6, 2023 – Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer: Chavez-DeRemer Introduces Bill to Improve Training, Funding for Workers on the Frontlines of the Fentanyl Crisis

Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) has introduced the Opioid Crisis Workforce Act, which seeks to improve training, information sharing, and grant funding for workers involved in the prevention and treatment of substance use and mental health disorders. Specifically, the proposal would require the Department of Labor (DOL) to share information on best practices with state and local areas struggling with substance use disorders, streamline these communities’ ability to apply for grant funding, and codify DOL’s ability to award grants for upskilling workers in the fields of addiction treatment and recovery.

“Oregon ranks almost last in access to addiction treatment and near the top in substance use disorders. Measure 110 needs to be repealed, but in the meantime, I’m going to keep doing everything I can to address Oregon’s drug crisis at the federal level,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “The workers on the frontlines of this crisis – doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, and many others – have a tough job. My new legislation will help support their efforts by improving information sharing and permanently expanding grant opportunities. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Education and the Workforce Committee to move this commonsense legislation forward.”

The Opioid Crisis Workforce Act would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act by:

• Requiring DOL, as part of the technical assistance it provides to states and local areas, to evaluate and disseminate information on promising and proven practices for addressing the economic impacts of high rates of opioid addiction and other substance use disorders, including effective practices shared with the department by states and local areas;
• Requiring DOL to update this information annually to reflect the most recent research and include information on how states and local areas can apply for funds through the National Dislocated Worker Grants to enhance their ability to implement effective practices; and
• Codifying DOL’s ability to award National Dislocated Worker grants to states and local boards serving areas with needs related to widespread substance use disorders and clarifying that grants awarded for such purposes can be used to upskill individuals in public health professions involved in the prevention and treatment of addiction, including street medicine providers who can offer substance use disorder and mental health care to homeless individuals.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

Download Right Now Oregon on the Amazon App Store