CINCINNATI, OHIO– Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) was in Cincinnati to deliver remarks at an all-day continuing education event titled “Impact of the Heroin Epidemic on our Children, the Silent Victims.” Joined by regional and national experts, Portman described the heartbreaking realities for children and families impacted by this crisis but also reasons for optimism. Portman’s recently signed-into-law Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) will help solve the tragic problem of children being born physically dependent on drugs by improving and modernizing our prevention efforts, increasing access to treatment, and, for the first time in any federal law, supporting long-term recovery.

“It’s critical that we’re having these conversations on the impact of the heroin and prescription drug epidemic on children to give a voice to the voiceless, the silent victims of this epidemic,” said Senator Portman. “I’ve heard too many stories of innocent children who have suffered at the hands of this epidemic, with families torn apart and children themselves having to fight back the disease of addiction that they inherited. CARA will help solve this problem by helping provide treatment to those who need it, helping pregnant and postpartum women with addictions, getting children the care they need and more. But we still have work to do. It’s going to require all of us working together, and it’s going to take a lot of hard work. But these kids are worth it.” 

Photos from the visit today can be found below:

NOTE: Portman has worked to raise awareness on the opioid epidemic in Cincinnati and all over Ohio. During his relentless push to get CARA signed into law, Portman visited the Center for Chemical Addiction Treatment Center and the First Step Home. Most recently, Portman visited a Cincinnati Firehouse where he introduced the Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act, and first responders in Norwood to discuss how CARA will help provide law enforcement much needed resources. Portman continues to tour the state meeting Ohioans struggling with addiction and those on the front lines in this epidemic, and is working to ensure that CARA is implemented by the Obama administration as quickly as possible. Recently, he helped secure $37 million in new opioid funding in the short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) to help get CARA grant programs up and running.

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