News-Impact-Advocacy May 16, 2016 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Closer to Becoming Law! In a sweeping 400-5 vote, this week the House passed a package of opioid bills as an amendment to S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA).  CARA is the first comprehensive legislation to address addiction as a health care issue.  This is a major step forward to CARA becoming law.   Most importantly special provisions to support Recovery were among the amendments passed this week. This is a huge victory for Recovery advocates. We must celebrate! The Council/PRO-ACT's Public Policy Committee led by volunteers has kept legislators on alert by participating in call-in days, letter writing campaigns, use of social media, and town hall meetings.  Our untiring efforts to support and advocate for expanded Naloxone distribution, emergency budgets for treatment and recovery support for opioid addiction, education for our legislators about the Recovery Oriented System of Care, Act 106, Medicaid Expansion, Recovery Housing legislation, voter education for the recovery community, criminal justice reform - all these efforts have moved our legislators toward the understanding that addiction is a health care issue.   Take a moment to thank your Representative for working to pass this important legislation. In particular, thank Representatives McCarthy, Guinta, and Custer for their roles in making sure the voice of Recovery continues to be heard. Learn more about our Recovery Support Committees here

Senate Committee Passes Measure to Expand Access to Opioid Addiction Treatment - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Senate Committee Passes Measure to Expand Access to Opioid Addiction Treatment - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids: A Senate committee on Wednesday unanimously passed an amendment that would greatly increase access to buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction, according to The Huffington Post.

Senate Committee Passes Measure to Expand Access to Opioid Addiction Treatment - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Senate Committee Passes Measure to Expand Access to Opioid Addiction Treatment - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids: A Senate committee on Wednesday unanimously passed an amendment that would greatly increase access to buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction, according to The Huffington Post.

Meditation May Provide Non-Opioid Alternative for Pain Relief: Study - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Meditation May Provide Non-Opioid Alternative for Pain Relief: Study - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids: A new study suggests meditation can significantly reduce pain, without using the body’s opioid receptors. The findings are especially significant for people who have built up a tolerance to opiate-based medications and are seeking a non-addictive way to reduce pain, the researchers say.

Recovery is real

https://youtu.be/xzIKEUoWmpg

Programs That Manage Opioid Prescriptions Save Lives and Protect Patients: Expert - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Programs That Manage Opioid Prescriptions Save Lives and Protect Patients: Expert - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids: Drug management programs that require at-risk individuals to use designated pharmacies or physicians for opioid prescriptions can protect patients from using harmful amounts of opioids while ensuring they still receive appropriate amounts of pain medication, according to the lead author of a new report on the programs.