Rob Portman
08/11/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/11/2022 17:18
In Cincinnati, Portman Leads Roundtable Discussion Addressing Ongoing Addiction and Fentanyl Overdose Crisis in Ohio & Across U.S.
In Cincinnati, Portman Leads Roundtable Discussion Addressing Ongoing Addiction and Fentanyl Overdose Crisis in Ohio & Across U.S.
August 11, 2022| Press Releases
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) led a roundtable discussion with Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition (HC ARC), law enforcement, and other stakeholders to discuss opiate addiction, the rise in fentanyl overdoses in Ohio and across the U.S., and efforts to address those issues - both on a local and national level. Senator Portman received an update from HC ARC on their Quick Response Teams Expansion & Deflection efforts through Federal CARA Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) dollars, including from the African American Engagement Workgroup (funded through the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery, or SOAR, program), which served as a technical advisor to the African American Male Outreach Program.
"I want to thank all those who participated in today's constructive roundtable discussion. I also appreciated the update from Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition on their important work to treat those with addiction. Drug abuse and overdoses continue to plague not only our community, but communities all across our country, and have been made worse by the pandemic. I'm proud our community is working together to tackle this issue," said Portman."With drug overdoses reaching an all-time high, it is more urgent than ever that Congress do everything in its power to help address this problem. My CARA 3.0 legislation would do just that by providing adequate and sustained resources that appropriately reflect the magnitude of the drug crisis. Given the critical nature of this crisis, it is urgent that Congress move quickly to consider and pass this legislation."
As part of his efforts to help Ohio, Portman has worked to help stop the influx of synthetic drugs like fentanyl, expand access to treatment programs that are critical to an effective recovery, and secure additional funding for evidenced-based Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act(CARA) programs focused on prevention, treatment, recovery, and first responders. During today's roundtable, Senator Portman highlighted hisComprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 3.0,legislation, which would increase the funding authorization levels for the CARA programs and put in place additional policy reforms and new programs to help combat the opioid epidemic that has worsened during the coronavirus pandemic.
Photos from today's event can be found below:
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