Today, after a week of deliberation and consideration of amendments, the U.S. Senate passed S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), by a vote of 94-1. This is an important victory for the prevention field!
This bipartisan legislation provides numerous provisions aimed at tackling the nation’s prescription drug abuse and heroin overdose epidemic, including a $5 million enhancement grant program for current and former Drug-Free Communities grantees to address prescription drug, heroin, and meth crises locally.
CADCA, which endorsed the legislation and actively advocated for its passage, applauds the Senate’s action. This progress would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of so many CADCA member coalitions who spoke up about the dire need for this crucial legislation.
CADCA also thanks CARA’s lead Senate sponsors who championed this effort:
- Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
- Rob Portman (R-OH)
- Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
- Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)
- Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Without Senator Grassley’s leadership CARA would not have advanced this far. These Senate champions have been instrumental in guiding this vital legislation forward, and CADCA appreciates their support.
Now, it is crucial that this momentum carries over to the House, which must also pass this bill for it to become law. Representatives Frank Guinta (R-NH), Ann Kuster (D-NH), Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Donald Norcross (D-NJ) have shared a sign-on letter in support of CARA appropriations, encouraging their colleagues to sign on to provide resources for CARA in FY 2017. Take action today and contact your Members of Congress. Urge them to sign onto the CARA funding letter by Tuesday, March 15th.
