Senator teamed up with Portman on legislation to curb synthetic opioids

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, applauded several recommendations from the White House’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, and called for quick action and additional investment to help communities on the frontlines of the epidemic.

“This report is encouraging because a number of these proposals already have the support of Republicans and Democrats in Congress,” Brown said in a news release.

“This report cannot be the end of the conversation — we need to work together to turn its recommendations into action. That means significant resources and investments so those on the frontlines have the funding they need to make change in their communities. I will keep working with Senator Portman and the Administration to make sure Ohio communities have our support in the fight against opioid addiction.”

In March, Brown applauded the formation of the Commission.  His office said several of the Commission’s recommendations are proposals Brown has worked on, including eliminating a cap on the number of beds at substance abuse treatment facilities that can be covered under Medicaid, increasing access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT),  increasing access to naloxone and developing better fentanyl detection devices for local, state and federal law enforcement.

The commission also supported legislation Brown is backing to stop the flow of synthetic opioids through the U.S. Postal Service. Brown teamed up with U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, on a pair of bills, the INTERDICT and STOP Acts to help block the flow of fentanyl to Ohio communities.