Rep. Vern Buchanan expresses support for President Barack Obama's plan to fight heroin epidemic

Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, praised President Barack Obama's efforts to fight the heroin epidemic, saying the White House approach aligned with the approach outlined in bills Buchanan is co-sponsoring.

Manatee County had more heroin overdose deaths per capita than any other Florida county in 2014 and an expected 150 people died of heroin overdoses in Manatee and Sarasota in 2015. Nationally, 125 Americans die from drug overdoses each day.

"I'm pleased that the president has weighed in on this crisis, which has affected far too many families in Florida," Buchanan said in a release Tuesday. "I've championed a comprehensive approach to combating heroin and opioid addiction -- one that attacks the supply of drugs, prevents new victims through better education and helps those already addicted recover and lead productive lives. Many of the administration's proposals follow the lead of the bills I'm backing, so I am hopeful that Congress and the White House can find common ground."

Buchanan said similarities between the Congress and White House approach to fighting the heroin epidemic include:

-- Beefing up the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program

-- Expanding medication-assisted treatment

-- Ensuring that more first responders have access to naloxone

-- Forming an interagency drug task force

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 10:07 AM with the headline "Rep. Vern Buchanan expresses support for President Barack Obama's plan to fight heroin epidemic ."