WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) urged her Senate colleagues to support the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which aims to help communities combat the growing drug epidemic.
Video of Senator Capito’s speech and her remarks as prepared for delivery are included below.
Click here or the image above for video of Senator Capito’s speech.
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Thank you, Madame President.
“As we are all sadly aware, the United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose deaths.
“The statistics are startling.
“Since 2000, the rate of deaths from drug overdoses has increased 137 percent, including a 200 percent increase in overdose deaths involving opioids.
“West Virginia has the unfortunate distinction of leading the nation in drug-related overdose deaths – more than twice the national average.
“As I travel across the state, I hear constantly about the devastation caused by this epidemic.
“West Virginia communities are grappling with the seriousness and pain of addiction.
“No family or community – mine included – is immune from this pain.
“As one of my constituents put it, we must give our young people a reason not to start using something that robs them of everything they have.
“Other West Virginians have bravely shared their family’s stories of addiction with me.
“In the powerful words of one of my constituents: it only takes a few seconds to use drugs, but a lifetime to fight.
“Drug addiction is a disease that knows no boundaries.
“And West Virginia is not alone in this fight.
“My colleagues here in the Senate return each week with similar stories.
“No matter our political party, we should all agree on one thing: we must act to change these horrifying statistics and save lives.
“Some steps have already been taken to address the drug epidemic.
“The Omnibus Appropriations bill that passed last December included funding to expand prevention efforts, including improved data collection and new treatment services, and training for our service members who are battling addiction and the first responders who are responding to drug overdoses.
“And today, we hope to begin debate on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.
“I want to thank Senators Portman, Ayotte and Whitehouse for their leadership on this important legislation.
“This bipartisan bill, also known as CARA, addresses the opioid epidemic by expanding prevention and education, and promoting resources for treatment and recovery.
“It includes reforms to help law enforcement respond to the drug epidemic, and supports long-term recovery programs.
“The legislation also expands the availability of naloxone, a lifesaving drug that helps to reverse overdoes, and creates disposal sites for unwanted prescriptions.
“CARA provides resources for treatment alternatives to incarceration. Like the successful drug court programs that operate in West Virginia and many other states. According to the Beckley Register-Herald, counties with drug courts have already seen cost savings and steep declines in recidivism rates among graduates.
“CARA also includes a provision to improve treatment programs for pregnant women and mothers who have a substance use disorder.
“The number of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome has increased five-fold from 2000 to 2012.
“Like the Improving Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Act that I introduced with Senators Ayotte, Whitehouse and Klobuchar last fall, this provision could play a critical role in preventing neonatal abstinence syndrome and getting treatment to pregnant women and new mothers.
“Last fall, I worked with Senator Markey and others to help restore Drug Take Back Days and keep medication out of the wrong hands.
“I participated in last year’s program in Charleston, West Virginia and was pleased to see the overwhelming response.
“CARA focuses on the programs that work and will streamline efforts across multiple federal agencies.
“In order to further address the needs of our communities, I am working on several bipartisan amendments to this bill.
“These include solutions to improve prescribing practices and prevent overprescribing.
“Too many stories of addiction start with patients taking painkillers after suffering a minor injury or undergoing surgery.
“That is why I am pleased to be working with Senator Gillibrand that would require clear CDC guidelines for prescribing opioids for acute pain.
“I also am pleased to be working with Senator Warren on an amendment that allows doctors to partially-fill certain opioid prescriptions.
“These will reduce the number of unused painkillers and help to prevent future cases of drug abuse and addiction.
“In order to reduce the number of overdose deaths, I am working with Senator Kaine to allow doctors to co-prescribe the lifesaving drug naloxone when they prescribe an opioid.
“This would make naloxone more widely available in federal health care settings such as community health centers, VA clinics and DOD facilities.
“I am also focused on tackling one of the saddest realities of this epidemic.
“In West Virginia, babies born exposed to opioids during pregnancy are approximately three times the national average.
“Every 25 minutes a baby is born with addiction.
“Nationwide, this condition increased five-fold from 2000 to 2012.
“My amendment aims to give the smallest victims of this epidemic access to the specialized care they need.
“It will provide clear guidelines to encourage the creation of residential pediatric recovery centers, like Lily’s Place in Huntington, West Virginia.
“I am pleased to be working with Senator King and Congressman Evan Jenkins on this effort.
“CARA represents a positive step forward in addressing the opioid crisis.
“The four amendments that I have outlined will strengthen the bill.
“They would prevent addiction, promote recovery and curb the scourge of drug addiction in my state and others across the country.
“There is much work ahead for all of us.
“The actions we are taking here in Washington are simply first steps.
“This bill builds on the tireless work being done at the state and local levels by communities, law enforcement and health professionals.
“By working together, we can change these statistics and stop more tragedies from occurring.
“I urge my colleagues to vote to begin debate on CARA this evening and to support this important legislation.
“We are in jeopardy of losing a generation if we don’t address this crisis now.”
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