FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I wish to express my strong support
for Michael Botticelli as nominee to be the Director of the Office of
National Drug Control Policy.
Mr. Botticelli has more than two decades of experience supporting
those who have been affected by substance use and abuse.
Prior to joining the Office of National Drug Control Policy in 2012,
when he was confirmed as the Deputy Director, Mr. Botticelli served as
the director of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services at the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
While there, he expanded prevention, treatment, and recovery
services, and worked to implement evidence-based programs, including a
youth treatment system, early intervention and treatment programs, and
overdose prevention programs.
During Mr. Botticelli's tenure as director of the Bureau of Substance
Abuse Services, he confronted the issues of heroin and prescription
drug abuse head-on and worked to ensure that police officers in Quincy,
MA were trained and equipped to resuscitate overdose victims using
naloxone, an emergency opioid overdose reversal medication.
Since October 2010, Quincy police officers have administered naloxone
220 times, almost always resulting in successful overdose reversal.
This program has been replicated in communities throughout the country.
As chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control,
I had the opportunity to work closely with Mr. Botticelli during his
time as Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Office of National
Drug Control Policy.
Most recently, Mr. Botticelli testified at a hearing I chaired to
address America's addiction to prescription opioids and heroin, where
he emphasized the need for increased prescriber education to reduce
prescription drug abuse and expanded access to naloxone nationwide.
In addition, Mr. Botticelli has committed to working with my office
to address the import, manufacture, and distribution of dangerous
synthetic drugs, which take far too many lives, far too early. At a
previous hearing on the topic, he provided valuable insight into the
threat that synthetic drugs pose and it is my hope that we can continue
to work together as the Senate considers legislation to address this
threat.
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Mr. Botticelli has also been very clear about the fact that marijuana
remains illegal under the Federal Controlled Substances Act, and has
done much to disavow the notion that marijuana is harmless.
As a person in recovery himself, Mr. Botticelli brings a unique
perspective to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. I believe
this perspective will enable him to successfully implement a national
drug control strategy that recognizes the need for both supply and
demand reduction and appropriately incorporates an effective public
health approach that is coupled with law enforcement efforts.
I look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Botticelli as he leads
the Office of National Drug Control Policy in implementing a whole of
government approach to combatting illegal and illicit drug use.
I believe Michael Botticelli will serve with distinction as the
Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and I urge my
colleagues to confirm his nomination.
