U.S. Senator participated in roundtable in Marietta

MARIETTA — Last week, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman. R-Ohio, participated in an opioid roundtable discussion with law enforcement, local advocates and community leaders at Washington State Community College in Marietta.

“The dedication and engagement across Washington County — through law enforcement, local advocates, and community leaders — is an example of the unified effort needed to overcome the opioid epidemic gripping our state,” Portman told the group. “I am working on several bipartisan bills that will make a difference in communities like Marietta. CARA 2.0 will help direct the $6 billion over two years that was included in the recent budget agreement to evidence-based programs that really work.”

Portman also discussed the STOP Act, which he drafted, which he said will help keep synthetic drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil out of our communities.

“While this problem won’t be solved on the federal level, we can certainly be a better partner to the efforts of community leaders and advocates like I met with today,” he said.

Recently, Portman introduced the bipartisan CARA 2.0 Act. His office said the bill will build on the success of CARA, provide additional resources to help turn the tide of addiction, and put in place policy reforms that will strengthen the federal government’s response to this crisis.