US Senate Passes Bipartisan Opioid Abuse Bill

RoundsThe Senate overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan opioid abuse bill despite Democratic concerns about a lack of funding tied to the legislation.  Senators voted ninety four to one on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, or CARA.  The legislation authorizes but doesn’t appropriate funding for programs to combat prescription opioid abuse.  South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds says the bill moves existing dollars to the program…

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Rounds says there are enforcement and treatment options included in the bill…

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Rounds says the bill also includes money and authorization for state and local programs…

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The Centers for Disease Control reported deaths tied to prescription painkillers rose to an all-time high in 2014.