WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) applauded the Senate’s passage of the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which aims to help communities combat the growing drug epidemic. The bill passed on a 94-1 vote.
“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,” said Senator Capito.
“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 Senators Capito and 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 today. The bill also includes a provision to improve treatment programs for pregnant women and mothers who have a substance use disorder, similar to legislation Senator Capito introduced last year.
In addition, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) announced it is taking steps to include the Co-Prescribing Saves Lives Act of 2015 introduced by Senators Capito and Kaine in a larger bill on mental health and addiction issues. The Co-Prescribing Saves Lives Act of 2015 would attempt to reduce the number of overdose deaths by allowing doctors to co-prescribe the lifesaving drug naloxone when they prescribe an opioid.
To continue to raise awareness about the drug epidemic and its effect on small and rural states, Senator Capito is encouraging those who have been personally impacted by addiction to share their story on her website. Learn more here.
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