Fighting prescription drug abuse
Posted: February 13th, 2012 | Author: Erica Felci | Filed under: Political InsiderRep. Mary Bono Mack was on CNN’s “Starting Point” this morning, talking about the national fight to end prescription drug abuse.
You can view a clip here.
Bono Mack serves as the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse. The Palm Springs Republican has also been open about her family’s own struggles with prescription drugs.
Bono Mack’s office announced the TV appearance amid news coverage of entertainer Whitney Houston’s death.
Houston died Saturday at a Beverly Hills hotel, where she was preparing for a pre-Grammy party. Authorities have said she was found unconscious in the bathtub and couldn’t be revived. An official cause of death is pending toxicology reports.
Several media organizations have said it was a deadly mix of prescription drugs and alcohol.
“While it’s still too early to know the exact cause of her death, Whitney Houston – like millions of Americans – reportedly struggled with the demons of prescription drug abuse for a long time,” Bono Mack said in a statement.
“Whitney Houston’s life certainly will be remembered for her rich, soulful, unmistakable voice. But perhaps her death can also be remembered as the turning point in the struggle against prescription drug abuse in America. That would be quite a legacy, too.”
Bono Mack is planning to hold a series of congressional hearings on prescription drug abuse. The dates have not been announced.
Erica Felci is a reporter for The Desert Sun who writes the weekly Political Insider column.