Resources
Press

Kiggans and Lee Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Prevent Youth Substance Abuse

Sep 25, 2023
Healthcare
National Security
Press

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) announced that she and Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) have introduced the bipartisan Treatment, Recovery, Education, Awareness and Training (TREAT) for Youth Act. This legislation reauthorizes a critical community-based program to support youth at risk of substance abuse before it expires at the end of this month.  

“With more Americans dying from drug overdoses than ever before, we need to do everything we can to reduce and prevent addiction among our nation’s children,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “I’m proud to introduce the Treatment, Recovery, Education, Awareness, and Training (TREAT) for Youth Act with Congresswoman Susie Lee. Our bipartisan bill will help combat the devastating impact of substance use disorder by providing the resources needed to support prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives for young Americans in our communities. As a mom of four, I will always fight for our nation’s children and ensure they live long, healthy lives.”  

“I’ve seen far too many children of my friends and fellow parents struggle with addiction and substance abuse. That’s why I’m introducing bipartisan legislation to tackle this crisis and strengthen youth prevention and recovery programs,” said Congresswoman Lee. “When someone is in crisis, especially our youth, acting quickly to get them the help they need can save their life. I’m proud to introduce this legislation that will take a major step forward in keeping our kids safe from substance abuse.” 

BACKGROUND 

The TREAT Youth Act protects and supports youth and families struggling with substance abuse by reauthorizing the soon-to-expire Preventing Youth Overdose: Treatment, Recovery, Education, Awareness and Training program under the Department of Health and Human Services through fiscal year 2028. Through this reauthorization, the strengthened program would provide grants to improve youth awareness of risks associated with fentanyl and opioids, increase access to medications for opioid use disorder, and train health care providers on best practices for supporting youth suffering from substance abuse. 

The full text of the TREAT for Youth Act here.

###

Recent Posts

Oct 16, 2024
Press

Kiggans, Colleagues Send Letter Questioning U.S. Naval Academy on Partisan Guest Lecturer

WASHINGTON, DC: Last week, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) led 16 of her colleagues in sending a letter to Vice Admiral Yvette M. Davids, the Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, to inquire about the academy’s process for inviting guest lecturers to speak to midshipmen. The lawmakers sent the letter after it was discovered the […]

Oct 15, 2024
Press

Kiggans Boosts Oyster Reef Preservation Through Bipartisan Legislation 

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) announced the introduction of H.R. 9705, the Oyster Reef Recovery Act, to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish competitive grants to encourage research on the conservation of oyster reefs. By doing so, this bipartisan legislation, which she introduced alongside Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), would reaffirm oyster […]

Sep 25, 2024
Press

House Passes Kiggans’ Legislation to Preserve U.S. Coastlines

WASHINGTON, DC: Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed Congresswoman Jen Kiggans’ (VA-02) bill, H.R. 5490, the Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm (BEACH) Act. This bipartisan legislation, which Congresswoman Kiggans introduced with Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL), aims to protect Virginia’s coastline by approving new, expanded maps under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA).  Signed into law by […]