The Senate approved a sweeping bill on Wednesday aimed at tackling the opioid abuse crisis, but without new funding pushed by Democrats.
The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., tackles the opioid crisis through different angles. It aims to increase access for first responders to the overdose antidote Naloxone.
The bill, approved 94-1, also expands disposal sites for unwanted prescription drugs. The bill also would expand resources to identify and treat jailed individuals suffering from addiction and strengthen prescription drug monitoring programs to help states.
Another area of the legislation is expanding prevention and educational efforts to prevent the abuse of opioids and promote treatment and recovery.
Democrats last week tried to add $600 million in emergency funding to fuel treatment for opioid addicts, but the Senate voted down the amendment.
The sole “no” vote was Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb.
Sasse said in a statement to the Washington Examiner that he was distressed by opioid abuse.
“Families, nonprofits and government and the state and local level can help,” he said. “I’m not convinced fighting addiction — as opposed to stopping drug traffickers — is best addressed at the federal level.”
The bill now goes to the House for consideration.
