Rep. Zeldin Announces Committee Passage of CARA; Critical Legislation to Combat the Heroin & Opioid Epidemic

Press Release

Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, announced today that a bill he cosponsors in the House of Representatives, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) (H.R. 953/S. 524), which previously passed in the Senate, this week passed unanimously in the House Judiciary Committee, releasing the bill from committee and allowing the bill to move forward in the House.

CARA would provide up to $80 million in funding to help prevent and treat addiction on a local level through community-based education, prevention, treatment and recovery programs. Funding would also be provided to supply communities with higher quantities of Narcan; a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects an opioid overdose within minutes. Additionally, the grants made available through this bill would also provide the funding necessary to expand prescription drug monitoring in states throughout our country.

Congressman Zeldin said, "I am proud to support and cosponsor the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act; bipartisan legislation aimed at increasing treatment and recovery services, and providing the proper education and resources at a local level. Having previously passed the Senate, and now with passage of this bill out of committee with unanimous bipartisan support, we are one step closer to this bill passing the House and being signed into law."

"Every single day, 78 people lose their battle with addiction, and their life, as a result of an opioid or heroin overdose. Last year, on Long Island alone, 442 people died of a heroin or opiate overdose, up from 403 overdose deaths the year before," Congressman Zeldin continued. "As addiction and overdose deaths continue to climb, tearing apart families and communities, it is essential that we immediately bring this bill to the House floor for a vote."

"Getting CARA passed and signed into law is a top priority of mine, and I will keep fighting until this essential piece of legislation passes the House and is signed into law by the President. CARA is an important step in the fight, but also only just part of what needs to be done on so many levels to combat this epidemic. I will continue to support all legislation that addresses the rise in heroin and opiate abuse," Congressman Zeldin concluded.

Earlier this week, Congressman Zeldin sent a letter to House leadership at the Judiciary Committee and Energy and Commerce Committee, the two committees overseeing the markup of CARA, calling for clarification of language within CARA to ensure that all funding provided for Narcan production and supply is given to community-based providers.

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