[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 2702-2703]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               COMPREHENSIVE ADDICTION AND RECOVERY BILL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, today we have an opportunity to take 
another step forward on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, 
or CARA, a critically important and bipartisan bill to address the 
growing prescription opioid and heroin epidemic.
  As we have worked through debate on this legislation, we have heard 
numerous stories from across our Nation about the toll this crisis is 
taking on Americans. 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 is largely due to prescription opioids and 
heroin. We know education and prevention programs can help reduce the 
number of people who experience drug addiction and overdose. One 
program I have 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 on these efforts 
through community-based coalition grants that address local drug 
crises. Education is incredibly important, and it is great to see what 
we are achieving on that front. But for Kentuckians and Americans 
currently struggling with addiction, the cycle can be very difficult to 
break.
  We have seen a staggering number of people lose their lives to 
overdose, and we know more must be done to stop that terrible 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 such as Jefferson, Fayette, Boone, 
Kenton, and Campbell--counties that have seen some of the highest rates 
of overdose deaths in the Commonwealth. The bill we are 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 the 
legislation we have before us today. 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 illegal trafficking and 
distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids. I have 
strongly supported each of these efforts to intensify the 
Commonwealth's fight against our prescription opioid and heroin crisis.
  So because of efforts like those I mentioned--to strengthen education 
and treatment programs, to improve prescription drug monitoring tools, 
and to 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 Senator Grassley, 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 Senator Portman and 
Senator Ayotte for their responsiveness to this urgent problem and for 
their dedication to advancing the bipartisan bill that is 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 will have more opportunities 
for funding through the next appropriations process, but it is 
important we act on this legislation right 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 opioids and heroin addiction. It will help save lives.

[[Page 2703]]

  I look forward to joining my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
support this important legislation.

                          ____________________