WARREN, OH – At the future site of a new comprehensive treatment center in Warren, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) discussed new legislation that would help address the opioid addiction crisis from prevention to recovery. In Ohio, drug overdose deaths increased from 2,110 in 2013 to 2,482 in 2014. In the Mahoning Valley alone, there were 115 deaths from unintentional drug overdoses in 2014.
“The only way we will stop the drug addiction epidemic is by combatting it at every level – from prevention to treatment to recovery,” Brown said. “Addiction isn’t an individual problem or a character flaw – it’s a chronic disease that, when left untreated, places a massive burden on our health care system, our families, and communities. Unfortunately, too many Trumbull County families know that all too well.
“That’s why I’ve introduced the Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and Reduction Act – a comprehensive solution to address this multifaceted problem,” Brown continued. “It should not be easier for Ohioans to get their hands on opioids than it is for them to get help to treat their addiction.”
During a news conference today, Brown joined Linda Spies, a Trumbull County mother whose son is managing his addiction with the help of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Joe Caruso, President and CEO of Compass Family and Community Services, also discussed how Brown’s legislation will help their organizations better serve the residents and communities in the Mahoning Valley.
“Senator Brown really gets it, he knows addictions are chronic illnesses that require support for Life-Long Recovery,” said Caruso. “This recovery includes coordinated school and community based prevention strategies; access to effective medication-assisted treatment (MAT) integrated with counseling and primary healthcare. Trumbull County is facing a terrible epidemic involving heroin and other opioids. Senator Brown’s bill will provide comprehensive funding for the spectrum of services needed to combat this problem that is literally killing our community.”
Brown outlined his legislation, which represents a comprehensive approach to address the entire spectrum of addiction, from crisis to recovery, including: boosting prevention, improving tools for crisis response for those who fall through the cracks, expanding access to treatment – like MAT – and providing support for lifelong recovery. Specifically, Brown’s bill, the Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and Reduction Act, would:
Prevent Addiction by:
Respond to Ohioans in Crisis by:
Expand Access to Treatment by:
Support Life-Long Recovery by:
###