Senate approves Portman bill addressing nation’s heroin epidemic

The Senate approved a bipartisan bill on Thursday that was authored by U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to combat the nation’s growing heroin epidemic.

The Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act (CARA), S.524, would ensure that federal funds support evidence-based education, treatment and recovery programs for drug abuse.

“(Thursday’s) strong bipartisan vote is a victory for American families who are struggling with the disease of addiction,” Portman said. “We know that the abuse of heroin and prescription drugs is tearing apart families and devastating our communities. This bill will help more Americans put their lives back together and achieve their God-given potential.”

Under CARA, drug abuse prevention and education efforts would be expanded — especially for teens, parents and caretakers — to help prevent prescription drug abuse and heroin use. Additionally, resources would be made available for incarcerated individuals who suffer from addiction.

Naloxone, a drug helps prevent overdose deaths, would be made more available to law enforcement agencies and first responders under the bill. The number of disposal sites for prescriptions drugs would be increased and prescription drug monitoring programs to track prescription drug diversion would be strengthened under the bill.

“I’d like to thank Sen. Whitehouse and all of my colleagues, as well as all the anti-drug groups, medical experts, law enforcement officials and others who have helped bring about today’s bipartisan success,” Portman said. “We’ve made great progress today but our work is far from over. I urge the House of Representatives to act quickly so we can deliver this bill to the president for his signature. The time to act is now.”

More than 130 anti-drug groups have supported CARA.