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YOUNGSTOWN, OH – In Youngstown today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined Mahoning Valley law enforcement and an addiction treatment provider after securing major funding to combat the opioid epidemic in Ohio.

“For too long, Ohio communities have been desperate for the federal government to step up and provide the necessary resources to effectively combat the opioid epidemic,” said Brown. “While we know there is more work to be done, this funding is a meaningful step forward for Ohio. By investing in local communities and supporting law enforcement through the INTERDICT Act, we can better address the opioid crisis in our state.” 

Brown ensured the spending bill signed into law last week included measures to address the opioid crisis in Ohio, including:

  • Ensuring Ohio will be among the first in line to receive opioid funding. At Brown’s urging, the package specifically prioritizes the hardest-hit states, like Ohio.
  • The package also includes more than $65 million to fund opioid detection devices and equipment called for in Brown’s INTERDICT Act, which President Trump signed into law earlier this year.

Brown was joined at the news conference by Youngstown Police Chief Robin Lees and local addiction specialist Ruth Bowdish.

“Working on the front lines of the opioid epidemic, law enforcement officers need every tool at our disposal to keep harmful opioids like fentanyl out of our communities. We’re grateful to the federal government for stepping up and providing much-needed resources to law enforcement and Ohio communities to effectively address the addiction crisis,” said Chief Lees.  

“As a counselor who works daily with people battling addiction, I can assure you that eliminating or reducing the supply of this poison in our state may be just what we need to encourage more individuals to seek treatment in order to get the help they need. Reducing the amount of fentanyl on our streets and in our neighborhoods is critical to saving lives and of having any hope of battling this epidemic. I applaud our political leaders like Sherrod Brown, for taking a stand against this enemy and for providing hope towards making advancements for a better future,” said Ms. Bowdish.

Opioid Funding

Brown originally announced $6 billion in opioid funding as part of the long-term spending agreement Congress reached earlier this year. The spending package Congress will vote on this week outlines how the first $3 billion of that money will be spent.  At Brown’s urging, the package specifically prioritizes the hardest-hit states, like Ohio.

How does it work?

  • State Targeted Response (STR) Grants account for $1 billion of the $3 billion allocated in the spending package announced today.
  • 15 percent of that grant funding will be specifically reserved for states like Ohio that have been hardest hit. Ohio can also qualify for money from the additional 85 percent.
  • In March, Brown wrote to key members of appropriation committees requesting increased investment in programs like STR that prioritize Ohio.

The omnibus funding is in addition to the $27 million in grant funding Ohio is expected to receive this year from the 21st Century Cures Act, which Brown supported.

INTERDICT

The spending package also authorizes funding for opioid detection devices outlined in Brown’s INTERDICT Act, which President Trump signed into law this year, to provide new screening devices, laboratory equipment, facilities, and personnel for 24x7 lab support. The money will be used to:

  • Provide more portable chemical screening devices at ports of entry and mail and express consignment facilities and additional fixed chemical screening devices available in Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) laboratories.
  • Provide CBP with more resources, personnel, and facilities — including scientists available during all operational hours — to interpret screening test results from the field. 

Several state and national law enforcement organizations, including the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association, have endorsed the INTERDICT Act. U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) also supported Brown’s bill and Brown is supporting Portman’s STOP Act, which is also endorsed by law enforcement. The two bills work together to help block the deadly drugs from reaching Ohio communities.

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