COP on the Hill: Stories from the weeks of February 9, 2024

This week’s work:

What if, what if:  Last week the problem was religion; this week a staffer asked: what if we make it much easier for addicts (Opioid Use Disorder OUD) and OD and die…won’t insurance rates go up?  Doctors might be reluctant to prescribe it.

I was very patient, as I explained that OD amongst patients being given controlled doses of methadone mostly die (a few have heart attacks) from polydrug use: combine methadone with alcohol, fenty, cocaine, etc.  Oh Vey!  I am certain my message of be ‘Pro-Life’ Love and Compassion for constituents who have OUD fell on deaf ears. Yes, it was a Republican staffer.

And of course, the bill only allows doctors who want to do this to easily certify and dispense..no obligation.

Personal note: I’ll be in the Chicago area Monday morning to pick up my new horse…I should make it back in time for my meetings and presentations next week. Yes, I am excited.  It is a Long Rider’s horse with 6,000 miles of LD experience.

1 meeting: Grover Norquist

388 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 his week: Matt Gaetz (R-FL) —              BTW..for all the news about him – he is very solid on his support for MJ legalization and a turn to going medical versus lock them all up.

5104 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 05 this week

460 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs,  04 this week… Congressional Candidate in 4 states

COP stats since inception: August 2009

116 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.

99 Radio Interviews:  0 this week

231 interviews and reports in minor media … this week –

33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (3 UN drug conferences in Vienna, Austria),  LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week

Media:  Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, OAN, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters, Stern

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