Every year, State of the Union guests represent the very heart of America. They are military family members, gun violence survivors, cancer survivors, brave activists, teachers, mothers and fathers. They are the core community members and movers and shakers in our districts.

In choosing who each member of Congress brings to the SOTU, we elevate the stories from everyday Americans and we highlight challenges and successes everyday Americans are facing.

I'm proud to introduce you to my guest tonight: Gary Mendell, founder and CEO of Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization based in Connecticut that is dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States.

Gary's life was tragically altered when he lost his son in 2011 to a years-long struggle with substance abuse. From that devastating loss, Gary founded Shatterproof and focused on taking action in the fight against addiction.

Today, the annual number of deaths caused by overdoses is three times what it was 20 years ago. And 20 million+ people in this country suffer from a substance use disorder and need access to treatment and a path to recovery. This is not an isolated issue, this is an issue that affects millions of families across Connecticut and across America.

Like Gary, I will continue prioritizing this issue and will continue supporting legislation like H.R. 3 the Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019 to address and reverse the addiction crisis across our country.

Together, we can end the stigmas around drug and opioid addiction, transform addiction treatment and recovery and work to end the opioid crisis in America. We are stronger than addiction.

Jim

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