U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) voted on March 2 to support an amendment offered by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) to provide an additional $600 million in funding for anti-heroin programs that are aligned with the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act:

“I’ve consistently said I support providing additional resources to help combat the heroin epidemic, resources above and beyond the additional money provided in the omnibus law that has not been spent yet and are available to fund CARA this fiscal year. I’ve also voted for $750 million annually in additional resources for opioid addiction in the Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act (H.R. 3762) — legislation that President Obama vetoed earlier this year.

“While additional resources are necessary, the CARA bill itself is critical because it ensures that federal resources are devoted to evidence-based education, treatment and recovery programs that actually work. We cannot afford to throw taxpayer dollars at federal programs that aren’t delivering results. The goal of CARA is to ensure that we direct resources to evidence-based programs that are tested and shown to be effective in assisting those who are struggling with drug abuse, including helping young people make the right decision, helping mothers battling addiction, and making sure our veterans who return home from duty have the assistance they need.”