Combatting Overdoses

Every year, more than 1,400 Wisconsin residents lose their lives to opioid overdoses. In 2023 alone, we lost more than 50 members of the Kenosha community to a drug overdose. Many of us know a friend, family member, or neighbor who has been affected by substance abuse.

In Congress, I've worked to fight the rise of drug overdoses, holding roundtables with local law enforcement and community leaders, passing funding to combat the opioid crisis, working to secure the border, and leading more than 100 of my colleagues in the House of Representatives to push the previous administration to act on this crisis.

Recently, I continued this work by voting to pass H.R. 2483, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act.

This legislation will help prevent overdoses and support treatment and recovery for Americans suffering from substance abuse. Some of these programs include naloxone training, enhanced treatment options for pregnant and postpartum women, and resources for opioid recovery centers. Renewing these programs will have a meaningful impact in curbing overdoses in our community.

This week, the House also passed S. 331, the HALT Fentanyl Act. This legislation permanently reclassifies fentanyl analogs as Schedule I substances under the Controlled Substances Act. Now, there will be increased penalties for those dealing illicit fentanyl and much-needed resources for our law enforcement officials. By finally classifying illicit fentanyl as a Schedule I substance, we are taking an important steps towards preventing opioid overdoses. This legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

If you know someone struggling with addiction, you can find support options in our area here.

Safe Drinking Water

As you may be aware, the Village of Hales Corners previously reached out to my office for assistance with a serious issue involving chemicals called PFAs in a water system that served 188 homes.

It had been determined that water for these homes exceeded EPA levels and ultimately would exceed proposed new standards in Wisconsin for these forever chemicals.  Hales Corners was trying to secure Safe Drinking Water Loan funding to address the problem but ran into roadblocks and bureaucratic delays stemming from a difference in interpretation of the word "owner" under EPA rules. The Village reached out to my office for help. 

In response to their request, we contacted state and local government agencies to cut through the delays. Within just days of getting involved, the issue was resolved, and the Village is now eligible for funding to ensure those families will have affordable access to clean, safe drinking water. You can read more about this effort directly from the Village here.

Rep. Steil and Village of Hales Corners Officials at the Hales Happiness Water Conversion Project Groundbreaking

Today, I joined Village officials in Hales Corners to celebrate the opening of the new water conversion project. This project was made possible by the loan funding my office was able to help the Village secure.

This important reform will help provide safe, clean drinking water to more than one hundred families in this community. Whether you are a municipality, 188 households, or you need help, I am ready to help you and get you results.

As always, feel free to contact my office if you have any questions, want to share an opinion, or are having trouble with a federal agency. 

On Wisconsin,

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

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