Kuster Honors Efforts to Fight Substance Abuse at New Futures Event

U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, recently helped honor leaders in the substance abuse prevention community, and spoke about the importance of prevention and treatment at New Futures’ annual recognition ceremony. During the event, awards were given to members of law enforcement, the judicial system, and state government to recognize their tireless advocacy around this issue.

“Alcohol and substance abuse is a serious problem facing the Granite State, and its eradication will take the work of all of us and many more,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “We need to treat more people suffering from substance abuse disorders, and we need to prevent alcohol and substance dependence and misuse at an early stage. I want to express my gratitude to all of those involved in this effort for your dedication to improving the lives of those burdened by alcohol and substance abuse, so that everyone can fulfill her or his potential and so that we as a state can continue to thrive.”

In recent months, New Hampshire law enforcement officials have stated that drug abuse, in particular heroin usage, has reached epidemic levels in the Granite State. Kuster has prioritized efforts to address the crisis on the federal level. She has also cosponsored the Mental Health First Act, which provides federal funding for training programs around the country that teach emergency services personnel, police officers, teachers, and primary care professionals how to recognize, treat, and address symptoms of mental illness and substance abuse disorders. She also held a roundtable discussion in May with a group of local law enforcement officials, medical providers, and other community leaders to discuss efforts to solve the drug abuse epidemic facing New Hampshire.

New Futures is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates, educates, and collaborates to prevent and reduce alcohol and other drug problems in New Hampshire. The organization is committed to a vision of New Hampshire and its local communities in which public policies support prevention, treatment, and recovery-oriented efforts to reduce alcohol and other drug problems. It was founded in 1996, following a large anonymous donation to the NH Charitable Foundation to address the prevention and treatment of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug problems in New Hampshire.

Caption: U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster joins Liz Hennig, coordinator of the Communities United Regional Network of Sullivan County, and Betsy Paine, chairwoman of the New Futures Board of Directors, at the agency’s annual recognition ceremony in Concord.

Submitted text. Courtesy photo.