This weekend, Senator Portman delivered the weekly Republican address to highlight the benefits of the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery (CARA) Act, which was recently signed into law by President Obama.  The new law will help combat the heroin and prescription drug epidemic that has impacted hundreds of thousands across Ohio and the country.  Following is the video of the address along with several media excerpts:

“[Portman] told the stories of two Ohioans who have lost their lives to opiate addiction… Robbie Brant of Olmsted Falls became addicted to painkillers while a sophomore in high school, when the drugs were prescribed for him following wisdom teeth surgery… Senator Portman said Robbie bravely fought the addiction for seven years, but eventually died of a heroin overdose… He told of a Carrollton, Ohio woman who lost her life at the age of 21 in the grip of addiction, leaving behind an infant child… The legislation called CARA was the result of a bipartisan effort on Capitol Hill." — Cleveland WTAM Radio

"Sen. Portman said the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which was signed into law over a week ago, made the federal government a 'better partner' in the fight…. 'It starts by recognizing that addiction is a disease—and must be treated that way,' he said. 'By helping end the stigma that has surrounded addiction for too long, we can encourage more people to come forward and get the treatment that they need.’" — ABC News Radio

"Ohio Sen. Rob Portman touted the recently passed bill to fight the opioid epidemic, which he said has struck hard in his home state… 'I have heard too many of these heartbreaking stories from grieving moms and dads all across Ohio. This epidemic is at crisis levels and it knows no ZIP code or walk of life. It’s everywhere. Fighting it is going to require all of us to work together.'” — The Hill

"More than 120 Americans die every day from a drug overdose, Portman said, making it the No. 1 cause of accidental death in the nation, surpassing even car accidents.” — Newsmax 

"Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio touted a bill passed in Congress last month meant to combat the growing opioid epidemic around the country… Portman explained that CARA increases federal investment into opioid recovery programs by $181 million a year and reserves those funds for proven organizations. CARA aims to grow prevention efforts with a new national awareness campaign and to help with treatment by expanding drug courts and increasing access to the emergency drug naloxone, which immediately reverses the effects of a drug overdose.?" — CBS News

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