After his Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) recently became law, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) embarked on a seven-stop tour across Ohio to highlight the new law’s impact last week.
CARA addresses the opioid and heroin addiction crisis that is impacting families in Ohio and nationwide.
Portman stopped in Dayton, Worthington, Lakewood, Youngstown, Lancaster, Logan and Chillicothe to discuss both the nation’s drug epidemic and CARA with public officials, veterans, judges, treatment specialists, educators, law enforcers, those in recovery and family members of those in recovery.
After visiting the Adena Pregnancy Center in Chillicothe on the final day of the tour, Portman said that he was certain that “there is hope” for those struggling with addiction.
“Over the last four days, I’ve visited seven cities to highlight CARA and learn more about the innovative programs now in place to combat this epidemic across the state,” Portman said. “We must ensure that recovering addicts – from veterans in Youngstown to pregnant women in Chillicothe – get the care and treatment they need and deserve. I will continue to do my part on the federal level to help tackle the heroin and prescription drug epidemic devastating our communities.”
During a visit to the Hocking County Drug Court in Logan, Portman said that the innovative drug court program had “made a real difference” in the county.
“CARA supports drug courts like this one with more federal funding and increasing eligibility for our troops who are discharged because of an addiction,” Portman said. “Through CARA and drug courts like this, we help more people get the long-term care that they need and begin to turn the tide in the fight against addiction.”
In Lancaster, meanwhile, Portman hosted a roundtable discussion with members of the Fairfield County Drug Task Force and individuals struggling with addiction. Portman also visited the Pearl House, which serves homeless people struggling with addiction.
“Pearl House is a model for the state and the county on long-term recovery,” Portman said. “By getting recovering addicts into long-term recovery, we can help get them back on their feet, back into a good job, and back to their families and their communities. CARA will help every aspect of the addiction crisis, and help places like the Pearl House and the Fairfield County Drug Task Force get the resources they need to fight the opioid epidemic head on.”
Portman also visit the Erin Helms Recovery Home in Lakewood during his tour to speak with women who were in recovery there.
“For the first time ever, Congress addressed the issue of long-term recovery with CARA, and today we received a firsthand look at why that is so important,” Portman said. “Erin Helms is making a real difference in the lives of so many women and I want to thank her for all of her efforts.”
Portman’s tour also included a roundtable discussion and a visit to the federal specialty courts in Dayton to discuss how CARA could help veterans and ex-offenders.
“Today, I was proud to host a veterans and re-entry court roundtable in Dayton, where they are doing tremendous work in helping people get their lives back on track,” Portman said. “CARA, which was recently signed into law, authorizes additional funding for veterans treatment courts and I believe this law will make a real difference in helping more of our veterans get the treatment that they need. CARA will also ensure that veterans who are discharged for substance abuse issues are eligible to go through these potentially life-saving programs. Now our focus is on making sure that the CARA law is fully implemented as quickly as possible to ensure that we help our loved ones who are struggling with addiction.”