W.Va., Ohio Senators Applaud Passage of Opioid Bill

West Virginia and Ohio lawmakers applauded the U.S. Senate's passage Thursday of the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which aims to help communities combat the growing drug epidemic.

The bill passed on a 94-1 vote. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, was an original co-sponsor of the bill, with Sens. Shelley Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., signing on as co-sponsors.

"Passage of the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act is a good first step in the national response to the drug epidemic that is harming communities and families across the nation. By focusing on improving and growing existing treatment and recovery programs, expanding prevention and education, and intensifying efforts to reduce the number of overdoses, this comprehensive bill will make a real difference in the lives of West Virginians," Capito said. "Going forward, we must continue to build on today's progress. At the federal level, I remain focused on issues at the heart of this epidemic, including overprescribing, neonatal abstinence syndrome and the availability of treatment services. Until our families and communities are no longer struggling daily with the impacts of this epidemic, our efforts to address it must continue."

An amendment co-sponsored by Capito and Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., to provide follow-up services to those who have received opioid overdose reversal drugs was included in the bill that passed Thursday. The bill includes a provision to improve treatment programs for pregnant women and mothers who have a substance use disorder, similar to legislation Capito introduced last year.

An amendment offered by Manchin also was included.

"The Senate's passage of CARA is a good first step in our fight to end the opioid epidemic, but more needs to be done," Manchin said. "I am glad that my consumer education amendment to ensure that advocacy groups have access to funds they need to raise awareness about the risks of opioid addiction and overdose was included in the final bill. Unfortunately, that is just one step in the fight to stem this epidemic."

To continue to raise awareness about the drug epidemic and its effect on small and rural states, Capito is encouraging those who have been personally impacted by addiction to share their story on her website, capito.senate.gov.