Congress Sends Bipartisan Legislation Addressing Nationwide Opioid Epidemic to President's Desk

Press Release

Congressman Todd Young (R-IN) commented today after the U.S. Senate passed S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery (CARA) Act by a vote of 92-2. The legislation, which is a coordinated response to the nationwide opioid and heroin epidemic, already passed the U.S. House with Rep. Young's support by an overwhelming majority vote of 407-5. It now heads to the President's desk for signature.

"We're facing the worst drug crisis in our nation's history, and we know communities in every corner of the country are going to need more resources and support if we want to overcome it. Republicans and Democrats put their legitimate differences aside today to pass this comprehensive response. It not only provides for more resources, support and treatment interventions, but it provides hope to struggling families caught up in this harrowing epidemic." -‎Congressman Todd Young (R-IN)

On passage of his amendment, Rep. Young offered the following:

"We must treat these individuals suffering from drug addiction, and I mean truly treat them, as patients, who need time and our support to get better. That's what this amendment does, and because of its passage today, thousands of children who would otherwise see their parent destined for a prison cell, will instead see the parent they love and depend on get the treatment they need."‎ -Congressman Todd Young (R-IN)

Background on the Davis-Young amendment:

An outbreak linked to abuse of a powerful prescription opioid led to more than 190 confirmed HIV cases in an Indiana community of 4,200 persons. Similar scenarios linked to over-prescription and abuse of opioids have impacted communities across the country.

The Indiana Department of Child Services estimated 2,600 children had to be removed from homes due to parental drug abuse in a six-month period ending March of 2015, a 71% jump from two years earlier. As a result, the number of available placements for children removed from the home has dwindled putting strain on the child welfare system.

Congressman Young is a member of the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over certain programs impacting this population of children and he has authored a number of provisions targeted to help them. (1) (2) (3)

The Young-Davis amendment that passed as part of CARA would give local jurisdictions needed flexibility to prioritize substance abuse treatment for parents whose incarceration would result in their children entering the foster care system.

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