Congressman Riley M. Moore Co-Leads the Safe Disposal of Opioids Act to Help Prevent Opioid Abuse

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Riley M. Moore (R-WV) is co-leading the Safe Disposal of Opioids Act with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). This bipartisan bill would make it easier for Americans to safely dispose of unused prescription opioids before they can be accidentally taken, misused, or abused.

Congressman Riley M. Moore released the following statement:

"The dangerous scourge of opioids has devastated communities across West Virginia, more than anywhere else across the country. We must do everything we can to keep these deadly drugs off our streets and prevent unused opioids from being diverted for abuse. I'm proud to be the Republican leader on the Safe Disposal of Opioids Act, and I support commonsense solutions that help protect our families and communities."

The Safe Disposal of Opioids Act would:

• Direct the Attorney General, in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), to award grants to establish or maintain prescription drug disposal sites.
• Cap grants to law enforcement and drug manufacturers and distributors at 10 percent, leaving at least 90 percent of grant funding for pharmacies, hospitals, treatment programs, long-term care facilities, and other authorized collectors.
• Fund the program through a fee on opioid manufacturers, producers, and importers of one cent per 100 milligrams sold, with program funding capped at what the fee collects. Drugs used exclusively to treat opioid addiction would be exempt.
• Require HHS to create a discount so patients using opioids for cancer-related pain, hospice patients, and their families or estates pay no part of the fee.

The Safe Disposal of Opioids Act builds on existing federal efforts to expand safe drug disposal and reduce the risk of diversion. Federal law already recognizes the importance of providing secure methods for Americans to dispose of unused controlled substances.

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