Bipartisan Bill Will Help Address Drug Epidemic in Kentucky and Nation
‘CARA will bring us closer to ending a national epidemic. It will help lift communities, like those in Kentucky, out of the throes of prescription opioid and heroin addiction. It will help save lives.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA):
“Today we have an opportunity to take another step forward on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), a critically important and bipartisan bill to address the growing prescription opioid and heroin epidemic.
“As we’ve worked through debate on this legislation, we’ve heard numerous stories from across our nation about the toll this crisis is taking on Americans.
“And today I want to take a moment to address the difference CARA can make in my home state of Kentucky, which has been among the hardest hit by this epidemic.
“More people are dying from drug overdoses than car crashes in the Commonwealth, and that’s largely due to prescription opioids and heroin.
“We know that education and prevention programs can help reduce the number of people who experience drug addiction and overdose. One program I’ve been proud to support is the Drug Free Community Program, which provides funding to local communities so they can promote education and awareness about the dangers of substance abuse. I wrote letters of support on behalf of Oldham and Carter Counties, which have both received Drug Free Community grants. This funding helps them train community members, parents, and school officials in preventing youth substance abuse. There are other programs in CARA that can help build upon these efforts through community-based coalition grants that address local drug crises.
“Education is incredibly important, and it’s great to see what we’re achieving there. But for Kentuckians and Americans currently struggling with addiction, the cycle can be difficult to break. We’ve seen a staggering number of people lose their lives to overdose, and we know more must be done to stop that trend. Fortunately, groups like the Harm Reduction Coalition are providing overdose prevention and naloxone training for drug-treatment programs, recovery advocates, and health departments across Kentucky and several other states. Through state demonstration and first responder grants, the group says CARA can give them a ‘stronger foundation to move from training to action.’
“Prescription drug-monitoring programs are also instrumental in saving lives, and I have been a strong supporter of Kentucky’s own program called KASPER. Just last fall, I received confirmation from the CDC that the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center had been awarded funds to combat the prescription drug and heroin epidemic in Kentucky. These funds are being used to improve KASPER, as well as target interventions in counties like Jefferson, Fayette, Boone, Kenton, and Campbell – counties that have seen some of the highest rate of overdose deaths in the Commonwealth. The bill we're considering today also places an emphasis on prescription drug-monitoring programs and will strengthen efforts already in place.
“Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking aspects of this epidemic is its effect on newborns. Just last year I sponsored the Protecting Our Infants Act to address this specific issue and was proud to see it become law. Our work to protect these fragile lives continues with today’s legislation. CARA would improve treatment for both pregnant and postpartum women by reauthorizing an existing grant program. It would also authorize a pilot program to enhance treatment options for this specific population.
“CARA can make positive strides in terms of keeping communities safe too. It would bolster the efforts of law enforcement through the authorization of grant programs for collaborative investigative units. What that means is Kentucky’s outstanding drug task forces stand to benefit when it comes to investigating the illegal trafficking and distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids. I’ve strongly supported each of these efforts to intensify the Commonwealth’s fight against our prescription opioid and heroin crisis.
“Because of efforts like those I mentioned — to strengthen education and treatment programs, improve prescription drug monitoring tools, and enhance law enforcement efforts — differences are already being made in the lives of many Kentuckians. With the passage of CARA, we can build upon these and other initiatives that can help shore up the fight against prescription opioid and heroin addiction.
“Kim Moser, Director of the Northern Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, says CARA will ‘address the growing needs’ of Kentucky communities and ‘expand treatment resources for those suffering.’
“She goes on to say that CARA ‘will allow individuals, families, and communities to heal from this scourge.’
“I want to thank the Senior Senator from Iowa, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, for working with Senators to move this bill by voice vote in a timely manner.
“And I want to also acknowledge the Junior Senators from Ohio and New Hampshire for their responsiveness to this urgent problem and for their dedication to advancing the bipartisan bill before us now.
“Remember, although this is an authorization bill, Congress has already appropriated $400 million — funds that are still available today — for opioid-specific programs.
“We’ll have more opportunities for funding through the appropriations process, but it’s important we act on this legislation now.
“CARA will bring us closer to ending a national epidemic. It will help lift communities, like those in Kentucky, out of the throes of prescription opioid and heroin addiction. It will help save lives.
“I look forward to joining my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support this important legislation.”
Related Issues: Opioid Abuse, Education
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