Montgomery News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Monday, Congressman David Trone (D-MD), co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, attended the America Honors Recovery Awards Gala with Faces and Voices of Recovery to accept the 2023 Congressional Champion Award on behalf of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force.

The Gala recognizes those who dedicate their lives to removing barriers for folks and their families affected by substance use disorder. This year, the Task Force was awarded the Congressional Champion Award because of their work to advance legislation that will help combat the growing substance use and mental health challenges impacting Americans.

Last year, the Task Force introduced over 100 bills to combat addiction and mental health and was able to pass 26 of those into law. This includes legislation in the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act, which the Task Force successfully fought to include in the FY23 government funding bill. This package consisting of over 30 bills — eight of which were led or co-led by Congressman Trone — is the largest effort to combat mental health and addiction in U.S. history.

“Last year, we lost over 109,000 Americans to drug overdoses – breaking another record. We must continue providing high-quality care, secure access to safe treatments, and take action together,” said Congressman David Trone, co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “I’m honored to accept the 2023 Congressional Champion Award on behalf of the Task Force. The work our coalition has accomplished has saved lives, but we still have more to do. The legislation on the horizon will further our goals and curb this epidemic before more lives are lost. ”

Leaders across Maryland and the country voiced their support for the work of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force in Congress:

“Our community is grateful to Congressman Trone and the entire Task Force for their tireless work in ensuring the 23 million voices of people in recovery and their families have meaningful representation in Congress. They are true champions for recovery and common-sense solutions to ending the overdose crisis and inspiring recovery solutions,” said Ryan Hampton, Co-Founder/Executive Director, Mobilize Recovery. “Under the Task Force’s leadership, Congress has advanced forward-thinking policies that are saving lives right now – and expanding access to critical long-term recovery supports, effective prevention and intervention, and evidence-based treatment. The Task Force is our voice on Capitol Hill – and they continue to stand up for recovery, no matter what.”

“No American family is untouched by our nation’s substance use and mental health crisis. Thanks to Rep. Trone and his leadership on the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, behavioral health is getting the focus we desperately need with an unprecedented number of bills addressing the mental health and substance use needs of our nation passing last Congress,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “On behalf of the tens of millions of Americans with mental health conditions and substance use disorders, NAMI thanks Rep. Trone for being a tireless champion and giving a voice to so many that have struggled. Since his first day in office, Rep. Trone has put these issues at the top of the agenda, and we congratulate the Representative for this well-deserved recognition of his work.”

“Rep. David Trone’s passionate leadership of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Taskforce is instrumental in addressing the challenges of mental health and substance use. His personal commitment, driven by his family’s experiences, brings an understanding and empathy that is both compelling and inspiring,” said Patty McCarthy, CEO, Faces and Voices of Recovery. “His work demonstrates that bipartisan cooperation is possible and essential in addressing complex issues that impact millions. Amid a national crisis, Rep. Trone and the Taskforce’s dedicated efforts offer hope and stand as a model for effective policymaking, transcending partisan boundaries for all Americans’ collective health and well-being.

“Congressman Tone understands the addiction crisis in America at a deep level and his actions show a willingness and dedication to addressing it as the highest of priorities,” said Marvin Ventrell, CEO, National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. “He also knows addiction must not be treated as a partisan issue because this disease does not discriminate based on party. He’s a passionate champion for our cause in Congress.”

“Our country has been dealing with a mental health and addiction crisis for many years, and here in Maryland we have the great opportunity to be represented by Congressman Trone, who is a tremendous advocate for these issues. Congressman Trone fights every day through his work on the Task Force and his advocacy efforts to ensure Marylanders have the access to mental health and addiction resources and services when and where they need it,” said Harsh K. Trivedi, MD, MBA, President and CEO, Sheppard Pratt. “As the president and CEO of the nation’s largest private, nonprofit behavioral health provider in the country, I value the work of the Congressman and thank him for his tireless work in this arena.”

“Leadership, the staff, and supporters of The Lourie Center for Children’s Social & Emotional Wellness applaud Rep. David Trone for his leadership of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. We appreciate his unwavering commitment to addressing and advancing legislation that addresses these critical social issues,“ said Jimmy Venza, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Lourie Center for Children’s Social & Emotional Wellness. “The consequences and cost to society if we do not provide support to these children and families are catastrophic for the families and the community. Congratulations Congressman Trone for being recognized with the Congressional Champions Award. We are very grateful for all you do.”

The Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force was established in 2021 by merging Rep. Trone’s Freshmen Working Group on Addiction with the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force, which was co-chaired by Reps. Kuster and Fitzpatrick in the 116th Congress and founded by Rep. Kuster in 2015. On June 7, 2023, the Task Force is comprised of over 130 Members working across the aisle to combat the mental health and substance use disorder epidemics in American communities. In the 117th Congress, the Task Force successfully passed 26 of its bills into law, all of which were led or co-led by both a Republican and a Democrat.

Original source can be found here.