Democrats call for opioid crisis to be treated like AIDS epidemic

A pair of Democrats implored Congress to treat the opioid crisis the same as the HIV/AIDS epidemic nearly 30 years ago, and are pushing new legislation to give states more power and funding.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., said in an op-ed in USA Today Thursday that Congress should pass legislation that is similar to what was passed in 1990 that created the largest federally funded program for people struggling with HIV and AIDS. The lawmakers say the legislation is needed to fight an epidemic that has ravaged the country.