The opioids crisis
Congress makes progress in an uphill battle
The crisis that is the opioid-addiction epidemic calls for pulling out all the stops with a governmental response. A recent package of bills approved by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to address the catastrophe is the largest and most comprehensive measure aimed at stemming the opioid death toll yet.
That it still will not be enough is a terrifying realization.
But at least the elements of this legislation will bring much-needed reforms.
The House of Representatives approved its version of the bill in June. It is focused on prevention and education, more research for non-opioid pain treatment, better access to those alternative pain treatments, and federal standards for sober-living facilities, among other elements.
The Senate voted Monday on its version. It was supported by both Sen. Pat Toomey and Sen. Bob Casey.
As part of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman led an investigation that revealed fentanyl — a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin — most often finds its way to America’s streets via the mail system.
Mr. Portman’s Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention (STOP) Act has been incorporated into the Senate opioid package. It will require the postal service to electronically track parcels as they arrive in this country so that customs agents can scan the packages for fentanyl and other opioids. Private shipping companies already use this tracking system, leaving the government’s own postal service the preferred delivery method for the Chinese fentanyl, responsible for so many overdose deaths.
The Senate bill also includes a humane provision sponsored by Sen. Sherrod Brown, also of Ohio, and Mr. Portman to provide Medicaid coverage for the treatment of infants who are born addicted to drugs.
Now the challenge will be implementation — funding the initiative adequately and getting specific programs moving. A bill backed by minority Democrats would provide $45 billion for realizing the new laws. That ought to be bipartisan, too.