Several Donnelly Provisions Included in Bipartisan Bill Aimed at Combating Opioid Abuse

Washington, D.C. – Several of U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly’s provisions passed the Senate today as part of bipartisan legislation that would help combat the opioid epidemic. The Opioid Crisis Response Act (OCRA) passed with broad bipartisan support on a 99-1 vote. Donnelly’s provisions would improve access to opioid abuse treatment services and help speed up the approval of non-opioid or non-addictive treatments for pain.

Donnelly said, “The opioid abuse epidemic knows no political or geographic barriers. I am pleased we got this bipartisan legislation through the Senate because communities across Indiana and our country are continuing to face distressing rates of addiction and overdoses. It will take all of us, working together, attacking this public health crisis from every angle, to be successful. I’m proud that a number of my provisions are included in this bill, and I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address this epidemic.”

Other provisions in the legislation would reauthorize a state grant program that has already brought nearly $22 million to Indiana over the last two years, would help state and local governments improve prescription drug monitoring programs, and would help states increase the number of drug disposal programs.

As law enforcement continues to fight the spread of fentanyl and heroin, the legislation would reauthorize and improve the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program. Donnelly has pushed to fully fund this program, which currently helps MarionLaPorte, Lake, and Porter Counties partner with federal and local law enforcement and access federal funding to combat drug trafficking in Indiana. The bill would also provide resources to help protect officers from accidental exposure to dangerous narcotics while they are treating an overdose victim.

Background on Senator Donnelly’s provisions in the Opioid Crisis Response Act:

Over the last several years, Donnelly has successfully pushed for increased federal resources to combat the opioid epidemic through prevention, treatment, and recovery services:

About Brian Scott

I play on the radio from 7 am -1 pm weekdays on 98.9 WYRZ and WYRZ.org. Follow me on twitter @WYRZBrianScott or e-mail me at brian@wyrz.org.

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