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Let Your Voice Be Heard

Abby Foster
| May 6, 2016

Over the last several months I have posted calls to action on social media sites to support CARA, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. To those of you who contacted your state representatives I thank you. On March 10, the Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill 94 to 1.

So what is the CARA act, and why is it important?

CARA establishes an all-inclusive, coordinated, and balanced strategy to expand prevention and education efforts while also promoting treatment and recovery through the use of grant programs.  According to the government legislation tracking website Govtrack.us, the following are some of what the bill would cover:

  • Expand the availability of naloxone- which can counter the effects of a heroin or opioid overdose- to law enforcement agencies and other first responders
  • Improve prescription drug monitoring programs to help states monitor and track prescription drug diversion “and to help at-risk individuals access services,” because inefficiencies and loopholes in the current program allow many individuals to game the system and obtain more drugs than they should
  • Shift resources toward identifying and treating incarcerated people who are suffering from addiction, rather than just punishment as is often the case currently
  • Prohibit the Department of Education from including the questions about the conviction of an applicant for the possession or sale of illegal drugs on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) financial aid form

As a person and student in recovery this bill is very important to me but also important for any person in recovery, loved ones of people in recovery, professionals and allies. I am one of the lucky ones. I had access to resources that made obtaining the treatment I so desperately needed possible. I was able to pay to return to school to further my education. This is not the case for many people who suffer from substance use disorders and mental health issues.

CARA would provide funding for RCO’s, recovery community organizations, to provide recovery services, conduct public education and outreach, and strengthen the network of community supports. Funds for women and veterans for recovery services and treatment would also be provided. Having a national youth initiative would build communities of support for young people in recovery in high schools and higher education. By directing the Department of Education to remove the questions about “prior drug conviction” from student-loan and Pell grant applications more people in recovery could have access to further education to better their lives and contribute to society in a greater capacity.

Support, education, and prevention are all things every person in recovery and to which every community should have access. This is something I believe in very strongly, which is why I chose to visit the offices of my state senators, Senator Thom Tillis, Senator Richard Burr and Congressman Robert Pittenger. I was one of 670 participants in advocacy day, which took place the day following the Unite to Face Addiction Rally on the National Mall. The participants included professionals in the recovery field, people in recovery, and family members of people in recovery or who had lost family members as results of substance use disorder. Together as citizens of this country we met with policymakers on Capital Hill, uniting our voices to have conversations about the need for addiction solutions in our country.

The CARA act was one of the pieces of legislation we discussed. My recovery allowed me to discover my voice and my purpose. I choose to speak up so that others like me may have the opportunity to experience long-term recovery and all the gifts that result from it. Whether you are a person in recovery, a loved one, or an ally, know that your voice does matter and you can make a difference.

It is our responsibility to use our voices to inform our policymakers what we need.  Let your voice be heard! CARA needs your support as it moves forward through the legislative process. I urge you to get into action and contact your Senator and Representative today and implore them to co-sponsor and support CARA!

To track CARA and see a list of Co-sponsors visit:

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s524

To Take Action visit:

http://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org

 

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