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Hard-hit states need more help

As incredible as it may seem, federal funds from one program meant to combat substance abuse are doled out based on state population, not the severity of their drug epidemics.

That is simply insane.

U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen (both D-N.H.) want to change that. They have introduced a bill to require that federal State Targeted Response Opioid Crisis Grants be awarded on the basis of need, not population.

The senators’ states are the very worst hit by the opioid crisis, with death rates far in excess of other states.

Their bill should be approved immediately in both houses of Congress. This is a situation in which delay literally means death.

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