Portman, Turner team up to tackle drug epidemic in Ohio

A roundtable discussion recently hosted by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) and U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) in Dayton focused on how the federal government can better team up with state and local officials to tackle the area’s opioid and heroin epidemic.

Portman has been a leader in the national effort to combat a drug epidemic in communities across the nation. Most notably, he authored the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), bipartisan legislation signed into law by President Obama in July.

“We’re facing a national crisis, but the battle against this rising tide of addiction won’t be won in Washington; it’ll be won in local communities like Dayton,” Portman said. “But Washington can be a better partner with them and make sure they have the tools and the resources needed to win this battle, and that’s why CARA’s comprehensive approach is so important.”

CARA takes steps to ensure that federal resources are dedicated to evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery programs that have already proven effective in local communities.

Portman recently secured $37 million to give a jump-start to the legislation’s grant programs without waiting for the fiscal year 2017 appropriations process to conclude.

Portman also recently introduced the Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention Act. The measure would prevent synthetic drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil from being shipped across U.S. borders.

Turner, meanwhile, has worked with community leaders to draft legislation that would help children born addicted to heroin and ensure that those incarcerated for opioid abuse receive treatment.

“The opioid epidemic is a crisis that continues to take a toll on our communities here in Ohio and across the country,” Turner said. “I continue to work with those in our community who work to end this epidemic each day to identify ways we can provide them the resources needed to end this fight.”