Part ofopioid epidemic →

FEDERALhearing transcript

High Impact

Congressional Hearing on the DEA's Role in the Opioid Crisis

Original title: THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION'S ROLE IN COMBATING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC

January 1, 2019

opioid epidemic DEA public health drug enforcement oversight

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing serves as a formal oversight mechanism to evaluate federal drug enforcement policies and the DEA's operational response to the opioid crisis, which impacts public health services and law enforcement priorities nationwide.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Drug Enforcement Administration

The agency is subject to congressional oversight regarding its operational strategies and internal communications.

Individuals with opioid use disorder

Federal enforcement policies directly influence the availability of substances and the legal framework surrounding addiction treatment and regulation.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2019.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House held a hearing on March 20, 2018, to examine the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) strategies and effectiveness in addressing the national opioid epidemic. The session focused on the agency's role in managing the crisis, which resulted in over 42,000 overdose deaths in 2016.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on March 20, 2018, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
In 2016, opioid-related overdoses resulted in over 42,000 deaths in the United States.
The average number of opioid-related deaths in 2016 was 115 per day.
An estimated 2.1 million people in the United States have an opioid use disorder.
The hearing included testimony from Robert W. Patterson, Acting Administrator of the DEA.
The subcommittee reviewed internal DEA communications, including emails from May 6, 2011, and August 20, 2013.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?

The hearing was held to conduct oversight of the Drug Enforcement Administration's efforts and policies in combating the national opioid epidemic.

Who testified at the hearing?

Robert W. Patterson, the Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, provided testimony.

Why It Matters

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

temporal pattern90% confidence

Historical Oversight

The committee reviewed internal DEA emails dating back to 2011 and 2013, indicating a long-term investigation into agency practices during the opioid crisis.

Drug Enforcement Administration

Connected Entities

personGregg Harper“Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations”Map →

personRobert W. Patterson“Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration”Map →

organizationHouse Committee on Energy and Commerce“Parent committee overseeing the subcommittee”Map →

organizationDrug Enforcement Administration“Federal agency under review regarding opioid enforcement”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment15
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level

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