PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse says there’s momentum in Congress to pass the nation’s first comprehensive approach to addressing addiction.
The Rhode Island Democrat visited a substance abuse treatment agency in Providence Thursday to discuss the push for a bill to help states prevent drug abuse, treat addiction and reduce overdose deaths.
Whitehouse authored the measure, called the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. It passed the Senate Judiciary Committee last week and he says it’s expected to reach the Senate floor for a vote.
U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, also a Rhode Island Democrat, says the bill could help millions of people access treatment and prevent others from becoming addicted. He co-sponsored companion legislation in the House.
There were more than 200 confirmed accidental overdose deaths in Rhode Island last year.
