Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today commented on the passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act by the United States Senate and praised Senator Sheldon Whitehouse for his leadership in ushering the bill through the Senate.
"This is a significant step in addressing the nationwide opioid abuse and addiction crisis in America. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act will give states better tools to address drug-related crime and addiction among offenders, and better support those who are following the difficult but noble path to recovery," said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.
"I commend Senator Whitehouse for recognizing the need to address this crisis with a comprehensive approach, from expanding prevention and educational efforts, strengthening prescription drug monitoring programs, and launching evidence-based treatment and intervention programs. His unwavering commitment to end the opioid addiction and abuse crisis was a driving force behind the bi-partisan support of the Act," continued Kilmartin.
Attorney General Kilmartin, at the request of Senator Whitehouse and the late recovery coach Jim Gillen, led the effort to get the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) to support and advocate for the passage of the Act in both the US Senate and the US House of Representatives. In September 2015, support of the Act became official NAAG policy, and the organization sent a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate and House Committees on Judiciary.
"While we celebrate the passage of this critically important piece of legislation in the Senate, there is still work to be done," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "We need the House of Representatives to act swiftly on this issue, and I pledge to continue to work with my fellow attorneys general across the country to advocate for its passage.
"Law enforcement has always been on the front line when it comes to drug crises, but we cannot arrest ourselves out of this current epidemic. Research shows that the best way to address this challenge is though a strategy that includes prevention, law enforcement, reduction of overdose deaths, evidence-based treatment, and support for those in, or seeking, recovery. Only through a comprehensive approach that leverages evidence-based law enforcement and health care services, including treatment, can we stop and reverse current trends."