Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 was introduced in February 2015, by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), along with Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and Tim Ryan (D-OH).

This legislation would modify existing authorizations and programs to provide desperately needed funds to support community-based addiction treatment.  The bill also expands prevention and educational efforts aimed at youth, aging populations, parents, and other caretakers, to prevent the abuse of heroin and other opioids and to promote treatment and recovery (www.thenationalcouncil.org).

Why is this bill so important?
More than 100 people die from accidental drug overdoses each day and fatal drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. This Act would utilize evidence-based treatment methods to treat addictions and support long-term recovery by connecting prevention and education with treatment programs, including medication-assisted treatment. It would also provide grants to non-profit organizations, agencies, states, and law enforcement agencies, for treatment and recovery activities.

Making addiction treatment and recovery a priority is an important step in removing the stigma and misunderstanding around substance abuse. It will also save countless lives of individuals who live with addiction and/or mental disorders.

Resources:
http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Comprehensive-Addiction-and-Recovery-Act-Fact-Sheet.pdf

About Jill Hamilton, The Kim Foundation Project Coordinator

Jill graduated with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Speech Communication from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2009. Since becoming Project Coordinator at The Kim Foundation in April 2014, she has become an active member of the Nebraska State Suicide Prevention Coalition, The Omaha Metro Hoarding Taskforce, the Early Childhood Mental Health Coalition, the Metro Area LOSS Team, and is helping lead a community-wide health improvement initiative with the Douglas County Health Department called, “Just Reach Out,” which is focused on improving the people’s view on mental and behavioral health treatment.