Senator Hassan to Host Laconia Police Officer Eric Adams, Who Has Led Efforts to Combat Substance Misuse in New Hampshire, as Her State of the Union Guest

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan announced today that she will host Laconia Police Officer Eric Adams as her guest of honor for President Trump’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, February 4. Eric has gained national recognition for his work as Laconia’s Prevention, Enforcement, and Treatment Coordinator. In this role – the first of its kind in New England – Eric has helped revolutionize the way that law enforcement across the country approach drug addiction and recovery, prioritizing meeting people where they are at to help them get the treatment and support that they need to overcome substance use disorder.

“Officer Eric Adams has set an example for our state and our country in bringing an innovative approach to tackling the substance misuse epidemic, helping put countless Granite Staters on the path to recovery,” Senator Hassan said. “As the fentanyl, heroin, and opioid epidemic continues to rage in our communities, I am incredibly grateful for people like Eric who are stepping up to help stem the tide of this crisis. I will continue fighting to combat the devastating opioid epidemic by supporting the life-saving efforts of law enforcement, health care providers, and community leaders working on prevention, treatment, and recovery.”

“I am honored to be Senator Hassan’s guest for the President’s State of the Union Address and be given the opportunity to highlight how Laconia has helped redefine how to help those struggling with addiction,” Officer Adams said. “Focusing on treatment and recovery has been key in our successful efforts to bring down the overdose rates in Laconia, and I am pleased that our approach has been recognized nationally as a model for success. Additionally, I am grateful for Senator Hassan’s efforts, both as Governor and now as Senator, to support those on the front lines of this crisis and bring attention to the importance of substance misuse recovery programs.”

Senator Hassan has been a leader in Congress in working across the aisle to combat the fentanyl, heroin, and opioid epidemic. The Senator worked with the rest of the New Hampshire delegation to ensure that the recently passed government funding bill for fiscal year 2020 – which is now law – continues funding the State Opioid Response grant program at $1.5 billion, maintaining the 15 percent set-aside that Senator Hassan worked to secure for hardest-hit states. The legislation also provides additional flexibility to expand treatment for methamphetamine and cocaine use. Senator Hassan worked with the rest of the New Hampshire delegation to secure more than $6 billion in the 2018 budget agreement for government-wide efforts to combat the epidemic. The Senator also worked to pass the SUPPORT Act – which the President signed into law – that included critical priorities for New Hampshire such as establishing comprehensive opioid recovery centers and expanding access to medication-assisted treatment. Earlier this month, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Senator Hassan to help ensure that law enforcement has the tools it needs to curb the opioid epidemic and better target fentanyl and similar synthetic drugs

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