Portman highlights Scioto Co. in passage of CARA

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U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) referenced efforts by Scioto County anti-illegal drug activists and organizations in exclusive comments for the Daily Times following a bipartisan vote of 94-1 in which the Senate passed his wide-ranging legislation to combat the heroin epidemic.

The Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (S. 524) is bipartisan legislation designed to ensure that federal resources are devoted to evidence-based education, treatment and recovery programs that work.

“We put this bill together by listening to families, addicts in recovery, medical experts, and law enforcement officials all across Ohio, and the progress we’ve made thus far is a tribute to their efforts to make a difference. Scioto County is ground zero for the heroin epidemic in Ohio and that’s why this bill is so important,” Portman said. “My work with Scioto County Rx Drug Action Team, and Lisa Roberts who leads that effort, really helped inform our work in this bill and I’m grateful for their support. This bill addresses what is a significant issue in the county by strengthening monitoring programs to ensure that we can better combat this abuse of prescription drugs. Our work is far from over. The House of Representatives should act quickly so we can deliver this bill to the president for his signature. The time to act is now.”

Portman has worked tirelessly over the last several weeks for passage of the bill.

Wednesday, Portman went to the floor to discuss how CARA is supported by more than 130 national anti-drug groups, Ohio anti-drug groups, and has strong bipartisan support in the Senate and the House. He also continued to put a national spotlight on CARA during an interview on CNN.

Tuesday, Senator Portman delivered remarks on the Senate floor to describe how CARA helps veterans. On Monday, he outlined how CARA helps women and babies in recovery. Last week, Portman made a push for CARA on the Senate floor four times.

He went to the floor to define, in detail, CARA and how it will work, discuss how his legislation will help combat the drug epidemic by promoting education and prevention, detail how drug experts in the Obama administration who deal with drug policy every day strongly support his bipartisan bill, and urge his colleagues to get CARA signed in to law to begin to help American families.

In addition, Portman spoke with Fox News to describe how he has worked with experts across the country to put together this bipartisan legislation.

“Today’s strong bipartisan vote is a victory for American families who are struggling with the disease of addiction. 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,” Portman said. “I’d like to thank Senator 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. 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.”

By Frank Lewis

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Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewis.

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