Congressman Turner released the following statement after introducing the bipartisan CRIB Act which would help cover the treatment costs of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a withdrawal condition in newborns often caused by opioids and other addictive substances in pregnant women.

This is a companion bill to the CRIB Act Senator Sherrod Brown recently introduced in the Senate. 

“I am proud to lead this effort in the House and fight for those who are born addicted to opioids. This bill would help organizations like Brigid’s Path, which provide inpatient medical care for drug-exposed newborns,” said Congressman Turner. “The opioid epidemic has swept through our communities and we must work together to end addiction for those innocent children beginning their lives.” 

Congressman Turner has been fighting the opioid epidemic in Dayton since 2013:

•    December 18, 2013: Toured Soin Medical Center, where issue of Heroin-Exposed Newborns was raised.

•    March 10, 2014: Met with area hospitals to discuss the growing issue of Heroin-Exposed Newborns.

•    May 15, 2014: Visited Dayton Children’s Hospital NICU to discuss infant heroin exposure and the withdrawal and recovery process.

•    June 30, 2014: Held a Community Forum on the Effects of the Heroin Epidemic on Newborns.

•    August 27, 2014: Visited the Women’s Recovery Center.

•    May 2015: Held Community Summit on Heroin-Exposed Infants.

•    August 21, 2015: Toured Greene County Jail and Green Leaf Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program; met with criminal justice system administrators and substance abuse and mental health leadership.

•    November 18, 2015: Met with ONDCP Director Michael Botticelli and introduced the TREAT Act with Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-3).

•    May 12, 2016: The House passed an amendment he cosponsored to increase access to treatment for pregnant women struggling with substance abuse.

###