Both Republicans and Democrats Support Proposals Addressing Heroin Crisis

Both Republican and Democratic legislators are supporting proposals to address the heroin crisis, USA Today reports.

Senator Rob Portman, Republican from Ohio, is championing the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 (CARA), which would increase addiction treatment and prevention. On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the legislation. Portman said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky promised him a quick Senate floor vote on the measure, the article notes.

The bill has bipartisan support. It targets prevention and education resources and also provides more funding for evidence-based treatment and recovery programs. The measure would expand prescription drug take-back programs and establish monitoring to prevent over-prescriptions of opioid painkillers.

CARA calls for spending as much as $80 million on treatment, prevention and recovery. It does not include actual funding, which would have to come through an appropriations bill, the newspaper explains.

Senate Democrats on Thursday called for a $600 million emergency spending bill to fund prevention, treatment and recovery programs.

“We don’t want to just have a little fig leaf out there,” said New York Senator Charles Schumer, a Democrat. “All the rhetoric in the world isn’t going to help expand access to naloxone and prevent overdose deaths. Endless Senate speeches won’t mean more beds in treatment centers.”

Democrats plan to offer the emergency spending bill as an amendment to CARA when it comes up for debate. “This is a national health emergency and we need a federal response to address it,” said bill sponsor New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat.

The measure would provide $225 million to the states to expand prevention, treatment, and recovery programs, as well as $200 million for state and local law enforcement programs, including drug treatment and education.

“We are not going to get … this under control unless the federal government steps up and provides resources,” Shaheen said.