One thing almost all politicians agree on is that heroin and opioid addiction is an epidemic plaguing the nation.

That’s why Todd Zimmerman, organizer of STEP-Up Carbon, a grass roots organization hoping to help in the fight, chose the word forum instead of debate when describing Wednesday night’s event at Panther Valley High School.Seven political candidates battling for three seats in either the U.S. or state House of Representatives gathered to share their viewpoints on funding addiction rehabilitation, overprescribing doctors and decriminalization of all drugs, among other topics.“Nobody is for heroin or opioids, but it impacts everyone, no matter your race or your socio-economic status,” Zimmerman said. “The forum is an opportunity for the audience to hear what each candidate would do if elected or re-elected to office.”Joining the conversation Wednesday night were U.S. Congressman Matt Cartwright, D-17, and his Republican challenger, Matt Connolly; state Rep. Tarah Toohil, standing in for U.S. Congressman Lou Barletta, R-11, and his challenger Michael Marsicano; and state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-122, and his challengers, Libertarian Matthew Schutter and Democrat Neil Makhija.Opioid bill debatedHeffley and Makhija had spirited conversation over a bill Heffley introduced that would require health insurance plans to cover at least three abuse-deterrent opioids if they provide coverage for an opioid painkiller.“These pills are three to five times more expensive and The Associated Press has reported that this bill is designed for pharmaceutical companies to profit from this crisis,” Makhija said. “People have said this is an example of how successful the lobbying of the pharmaceutical industry is in Pennsylvania.”The pills are not any more expensive than other options, Heffley said.“For anyone to suggest we are doing something that would pad the pockets of the pharmaceutical companies is ridiculous,” he added. “When you take on the pharmaceutical companies and insurance providers you get attacked, including by reporters who write one-sided articles because they have an agenda. When you change how we treat pain in this country, you’re going to rock a lot of boats.”Schutter, meanwhile, said the war on drugs is not working and favors strengthening the medical cannabis bill.“Freedom works and liberty works,” he said on the issue of decriminalizing all drug use.Makhija also criticized Heffley for voting against the legalization of medical marijuana, a move he called “common sense” to help those suffering from cancer and children with epilepsy.“I feel that a bill taking us down the path of legalizing marijuana for everyone is wrong,” Heffley said. “There was an amendment that I would have supported that would given access to those having seizures, but the one that was passed took the power away from the Legislature.”Barletta’s absence questionedMarsicano, who said government needs to take a more active role in funding the fight against drug addiction, and rehabilitative efforts, quickly pointed out the nonattendance by Barletta.“I’m here tonight, I didn’t send a surrogate,” Marsicano said. “I’ll be there for you in Washington. It’s always been a privilege to go to Washington, not a career, and I won’t make it one.”Speaking for Barletta, Toohil credited his efforts in bringing the SHINE program, an after-school program serving primarily low-income, minority and special needs students, to Luzerne County after it blossomed in Carbon County.“Programs like that help give kids something to do after school and it means they’re not out involved with drugs or prescription abuse,” she said.Marsicano, however, said the SHINE program came out of Washington.“Go home and Google the SHINE program and I bet you won’t see Lou Barletta’s name there,” he added.Drug decriminalizationWhile Connolly took a firm stand against drug decriminalization Wednesday, Cartwright said he’s employing a “wait-and-see” approach.“I think we have to look at how things turn out in Colorado,” Cartwright said. “I’d want to take a look at scientific research and go through the process of holding hearings on the subject.”There is no waiting for Connolly.“What happens to people in that line of work if drugs become legal to use,” he said. “They don’t just all the sudden go get a job at UPS, they usually go do worse things. “Most people who use heroin for the first time are either high or drunk.”Marsicano and Toohil both said they are against legalization of drugs.“Marijuana today is strong, it’s at opioid levels,” Marsicano said. “Legalization would do nothing but cause problems.”Toohil said Barletta is focused on stemming the tide of drug access in local communities.“Drug dealers need to be punished to the fullest extent of law,” she said.OverprescribingIn 1992, the federal government introduced pain as a vital sign, Connolly said, and doctors began getting rated on how well patients responded to pain.“Doctors were giving out a lot of medications to make sure they got a high rating and that’s why the federal government shouldn’t be in the patient-doctor relationship,” he said.Touting a bill that has companion legislation in the Senate, Cartwright said the Addiction Prevention and Responsible Opioid Practices Act would increase accountability to ensure responsible prescribing practicesMethadone/SuboxoneMethadone and suboxone have both been used for drug withdrawals and candidates were questioned Wednesday as to whether they think its effective.Makhija said the treatment has been proven to work, but many recovering addicts can’t afford it and their insurance won’t cover it.“The expansion of Medicaid has helped,” he said. “Over 500,000 people who didn’t have access to health care before, now do.”Of a more critical concern for Heffley is that addicts get at least 30 days of inpatient care at a time.“Addicts who only get 15 days have a higher chance of overdosing,” he said.A drug treatment is absolutely necessary, Schutter added.“I want to advocate, however, to get the health care system back between the doctor and the patient,” he said. “Let’s get rid of corporate welfare.”