By Lee Auman, the Democratic nominee seeking the District Four seat in the U.S. House of Representatives versus incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Robert Adderholt.

A study released by Harvard has reinforced something residents of Alabama's Fourth District already know too well: The opioid crisis is a disaster here. There are 166 opioid prescriptions per each 100 residents of our district -- the highest rate in the country.

Our healthcare providers, emergency management agencies, and law enforcement officers are overextended. The crisis is compounded by the threat of rural hospital closures in every corner of the district. So, how did Robert Aderholt, a 22-year D.C. insider, respond? Our Congressman told us he didn't care.

Aderholt's statement was a copy-paste effort straight from the GOP Establishment playbook. First, he made light of opioid addiction by stating that the president's economic policy would fix the crisis. Then, he took credit for a smattering of appropriations provisions and glossed over the real problem.

At no point did he propose concrete policy proposals to reduce prescriptions or help those already suffering from addiction. Nowhere in the statement did he mention any results or proven benefits from these expenditures. He doesn't think he has to answer to us.

He's giving us a Washington response for an Alabama problem.

I will actively work toward solutions. When I am elected, I will immediately sponsor a bill to expand existing prescription monitoring systems. Lawmakers need to give doctors the resources they need to protect their patients and themselves.

I will fight for penalties for providers who repeatedly overprescribe. I will listen to the people of the district and monitor the situation closely and ensure we are making progress. I will always have a stake in our community.

While Rep. Aderholt directs his staff to give divisive, partisan statements about a heartbreaking and widespread crisis, people in Alabama's Fourth District are living with the consequences of poor leadership.

Who among us doesn't know someone impacted by opioid abuse? The people deserve a leader who won't take us for granted. We need leadership. Rep. Aderholt isn't advocating for the needs of his constituents, and he should be held accountable.

It will take time and effort, but we can solve this crisis and the other problems facing us. As your representative, I will advocate for you. For improvements to our classrooms in every ZIP code, for more funding for our two-year colleges, for healthcare access. I will fight against anything that harms our district, like trade policies that hurt industry and job opportunity. I'll work for you, not the establishment of either party.