AG Sessions Outlines New Initiatives to Combat Opioid Crisis

Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke in Lexington, Kentucky, highlighting recently announced tools and programs geared towards fighting the U.S. opioid epidemic, including a team that will target online drug sales and a fraud detection unit.

Sessions described the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit, a data analytics program that focuses on opioid-related health care fraud. Sessions stated that a dozen experienced prosecutors attached to the unit have been assigned to opioid hot-spot areas to investigate and prosecute fraud, and will collaborate with the DEA, FBI, HHS and local partners.

He also spoke about the Prescription Interdiction and Litigation Task Force, which focuses on targeting opioid manufacturers and distributors that have contributed to the epidemic. It will examine potential legislative and regulatory changes in existing laws, and possibly support ongoing state and local government lawsuits against manufacturers, Sessions said.