Shaheen Announces Jeanne Moser, Whose Son Was Lost to the Opioid Epidemic, As SOTU Guest

Jeanne Moser is a New Hampshire activist working to raise awareness about opioid and substance use disorders after her son Adam passed away as the result of a fentanyl overdose in 2015. 

Shaheen and others will wear purple ribbons at the President’s address to raise awareness for opioid and substance use disorders and to underscore the critical need for federal support to fight the epidemic.

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced that she will bring Jeanne Moser of East Kingston as her guest for the President’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 30th to raise awareness about substance use disorders, and to highlight the need for robust federal support to combat the opioid epidemic. Jeanne Moser’s son Adam passed away in 2015 as the result of a fentanyl overdose.

“I’m grateful that Jeanne Moser will join me for the State of the Union address to bring attention to the immediate need for federal assistance in New Hampshire and other states that have been hardest-hit by the opioid epidemic,” said Shaheen. “New Hampshire has the third highest drug overdose death rate in the nation – we lost nearly 500 Granite Staters to this crisis in 2016. We cannot wait any longer. The administration and Congress owe Jeanne, and every family affected by this public health emergency, swift and decisive action. On Tuesday night, I’ll wear a purple ribbon to symbolize my support for families impacted by substance use disorders and to remind the President of the promises he made to Granite State families during the 2016 campaign. As I’ve continuously said, I am here and ready to work with him to get our communities the help they desperately need.”

Yesterday, Shaheen announced she’ll be encouraging other attendees at the President’s address to wear purple ribbons to bring awareness to opioid and substance use disorders  and to encourage the President to prioritize meaningful investments to combat the epidemic that has seized New Hampshire and other communities across the nation.

Jeanne Moser and her husband Jim founded the “Zero Left” campaign to raise awareness about the risks of prescription drug abuse. The Mosers joined President Trump in Washington DC last year when the President declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency. Jim Moser also joined Senator Shaheen for National Drug Take Back Day with the Concord Police Department in October.

As the lead Democrat on the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Shaheen has led efforts in Congress to combat the opioid epidemic. Shaheen continues to fight for funding to combat the opioid crisis. She also recently introduced bipartisan funding legislation to prioritize states hardest hit by the opioid epidemic, including New Hampshire, and has consistently urged the Trump administration to immediately consider bipartisan action as the public health emergency continues to devastate Granite State communities.