More Progress in the Battle Against Opiate Abuse
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The drug abuse epidemic is devastating communities and schools all across our country. It is important we begin taking steps to break the cycle of drug abuse and crime in our communities – an effort that will take collaboration and a complete strategy at local, state and federal levels.
Recently, Congress reached a milestone in addressing this crisis by passing the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). At its core, CARA provides much needed funding to federal agencies by establishing a system of enhanced grant programs to implement and monitor local efforts to treat and prevent drug abuse in communities where it is needed most.
Another key provision of CARA expands the distribution of Naloxone, a drug which can block the most harmful side effects of an opioid overdose to save lives. With over 2,200 lives that have already been saved by state funded Naloxone programs this past year, this is an important program that will be strengthened under CARA.
It was reassuring to see CARA signed into law by the President in a united effort to address this issue in our country. While this issue will not be solved overnight, CARA is critical progress in the battle against drug abuse. If you have any questions about this, or other legislation facing the federal government, I invite you to call my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-2015, Hilliard office at (614) 771-4968, Lancaster office at (740) 654-2654 or Wilmington office at (937) 283-7049.
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